India: People standing up for their right to health

To mark Human Rights Day (10 December), Action for Global Health and ActionAid India have launched a new video which shows how communities of a remote area of Orissa in south-eastern India stand up for their right to health.

India is a vast country with diverse culture, traditions and government structures, and its growing population already numbers more than 1.1 billion. Orissa is the country's poorest state, with the highest proportion of the population living below the poverty line. When it comes to health, one of the major problems encountered by the government is to reach out people in rural, mountainous and border areas. It is extremely difficult for people living in these remote areas to access health care.

India's healthcare infrastructure is based on a three-tier system. People's basic health needs should be met at the level of sub-centres, primary health centres and community health centres which should channel the implementation of public health and welfare programs. But, due to poor investments from the government, those health centres - in particular in rural areas - often lack of medical staff, basic medicines and services.

However, the situation is changing, partly because communities are taking increased ownership of public health programs. Of course there is still a long way to go, and communities must insist their right to health is delivered through non-negotiable services guaranteed at all levels.

Much remains to be done, but, in the end, it all comes down to people standing up for their rights. It is crucial that NGOs, governments and the international community support them in this process.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Right to health
• India
• Orissa
• access to healthcare
• Action for Global Health
• governance
• malaria
• HIV/AIDS
• ActionAid