The conclave has been organised under Dharti Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
Healthcare associated issues for Tribals
- Geographical remoteness: E.g. Residence in mountainous terrains, dense forests makes it difficult to establish and maintain healthcare facilities.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: E.g. Limited access to healthcare professionals in remote areas leads to delayed diagnoses, inappropriate treatment etc.
- Language barriers: E.g. Limited access to health information in native languages hinders informed decision making.
- Cultural sensitivity and traditional practices: E.g. Failure to acknowledge and integrate tribal’s indigenous healing methods often leads to distrust and reluctance among tribal populations.
Steps to be Taken
- Development of a strategic roadmap for enhancing healthcare delivery in tribal regions. E.g. exploring telemedicine, mobile medical units
- Culturally sensitive and inclusive healthcare models that respect and incorporate traditional healing practices and beliefs of tribal communities with mainstream healthcare
- Targeted Interventions: Targeted interventions for managing rare diseases, addiction, and mental health issues with a focus on addressing malnutrition, reproductive health, and traditional food practices.
Improvements in outcomes of Tribal health must be guided by Respect (for tribal culture), Relevance (to tribal communities), Reciprocity (through a two way process of learning and exchange) and Responsibility (through active empowerment).
