Conceptualizing a Model for Improving Access to Medicines in Rural India

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shara M. Batliboi ◽  
Suhas Tambe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Access To Medicines ◽  
Rural India ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Postal Network ◽  
Rural Access

India’s health care infrastructure has not kept pace with the economy’s growth. Today only 25 per cent of the Indian population has access to allopathic medicine, practiced mainly in urban areas. Rural India’s health is supported, not always adequately, by the government’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).  This study proposes a model for distributing free medicines to villages. Medicines, a few months before their expiry dates, normally wasted, would be obtained from urban stockists/chemists. Pharmaceutical companies, by giving their consent, could partner with the model. The transfer of drugs to rural India would be via the widespread Indian postal network. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), postal employees and trained NRHM personnel would mobilize the model. Such a public–private partnership brings together members of civil society (e.g., NGOs), public sector (e.g., government agencies) and private sector (e.g., pharmaceutical companies) to fund, coordinate and drive the model, addressing the gaps in rural access to health care.

scholarly journals A long-lasting emerging epidemic of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeastern Iran: population movement and peri-urban settlements as a major risk factor

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiebeh Karimi ◽  
Iraj Sharifi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian ◽  
Behnaz Aflatoonian ◽  
Mohammad Ali Mohammadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Smear Microscopy ◽  
Case Report Form ◽  
Average Risk ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Kerman City ◽  
New Settlements

Abstract Background Epidemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) are occurring more frequently and spreading faster and farther than before in many areas of the world. The present study aimed to assess a long-lasting emerging epidemic (2005–2019) of 5532 cases with anthroponotic CL (ACL) in peri-urban areas of Kerman city in southeastern Iran. Methods This descriptive-analytical study was carried out for 15 years in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. The data were passively obtained through the health surveillance system and the Kerman Leishmaniasis Research Center. Every subject was diagnosed using direct smear microscopy. The representative causative agent was further examined by ITS1-PCR, PCR-RFLP, 7SL RNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. For each subject, a case report form designating demographic and clinical data was recorded. Results A different pattern of ACL incidence was found in peri-urban areas compared to that in the city of Kerman. The incidence rate of ACL cases has significantly increased (P < 0.001) from 2005 to 2016 in new settlements with a gradual decline after that. The overall average risk of contracting the disease was 7.6 times higher in peri-urban areas compared to Kerman city, an old endemic focus. All isolates consisting of six variants were confirmed to be Leishmania tropica. The overall pattern of the ACL infection indicates that the etiological agent of ACL is propagated and transmitted by the bite of female Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies from person to person from dissimilar clones as reflected by the complexity of the migrants’ backgrounds in the province. Conclusions The movement of populations and establishment of new settlements in peri-urban areas close to endemic areas are major risk factors for and are directly linked to CL. The underlying factors of this emerging ACL epidemic caused by L. tropica were disasters and droughts, among others. A robust commitment to a multilateral approach is crucial to make improvements in this area. This will require decisive coordinated actions through all governmental factions and non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, active and passive case detection strategies, early diagnosis, and effective treatment could help control the disease.

scholarly journals Disaster response and recovery in two informal settlements: A local government perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 606-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu ◽  
Malcolm Alan Henworth Wallis
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
The Impact

Informal settlements in urban areas have long been afflicted by disasters and exposed to exploitation by politicians, shacklords, academics, journalists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), tavern owners and government officials. This problem is caused to some degree by limited land for expansion which has resulted in the creation of highly densified and unplanned, irregular settlements using poor, combustible building materials. The purpose of the article is to investigate whether eThekwini Municipality’s strategies are sufficient to respond to and recover from the impact of disasters. The research was undertaken at the Foreman and Kennedy Road informal settlements located in Clare Estate, under Ward 25, in Durban within eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (refer to Annexure 1). These areas are very important politically as they are densily populated and highly contested between political parties and local resistant’s organizations such as Abahlali baseMjondolo. Questionnaires were self-administered to a sample size of 220 of which 140 respondents completed the questionnaires, thereby generating a response rate of 63.6%. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with municipal officials. The findings indicate that 44.3% of the victims of disasters received assistance from NGOs and regard civil society as playing an important role after disasters compared to 7.1% of the responding municipal officials.

Breast Cancer in Latin America: A Map of the Disease in the Region

2018 ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Cazap
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Patient Organizations

In the next few decades, breast cancer will become a leading global public health problem as it increases disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries. Disparities are clear when comparisons are made with rates in Europe and the United States, but they also exist between the countries of the region or even within the same country in Latin America. Large cities or urban areas have better access and resource availability than small towns or remote zones. This article presents the status of the disease across 12 years with data obtained through three studies performed in 2006, 2010, and 2013 and based on surveys, reviews of literature, patient organizations, and public databases. The first study provided a general picture of breast cancer control in the region (Latin America); the second compared expert perceptions with medical care standards; and the third was a review of literature and public databases together with surveys of breast cancer experts and patient organizations. We conclude that breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and kills more women than any other cancer; we also suggest that aging is the principal risk factor, which will drive the incidence to epidemic levels as a result of demographic transition in Latin America. The economic burden also is large and can be clearly observed: in countries that today allocate insufficient resources, women go undiagnosed or uncared for or receive treatment with suboptimal therapies, all of which results in high morbidity and the associated societal costs. The vast inequities in access to health care in countries translates into unequal results in outcomes. National cancer control plans are the fundamental building block to an organized governance, financing, and delivery of health care for breast cancer.

Healthcare infrastructure development in rural India: a critical analysis of its status and future challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Nenavath Sreenu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Rural India ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Future Challenges

At present, the development of healthcare infrastructure in India is poor and needs fundamental reforms in order to deal with emerging challenges. This study surveys the growth of the healthcare infrastructure. The development of infrastructure and health care facilities, the position of the workforce, and the quality of service delivery are important challenges that are confronting healthcare centres in rural India. This article critically analyses the future challenges of Indian healthcare infrastructure development in rural areas, discussing the burden of disease, widespread financial deficiency, the vaccination policy and poor access to health care as some of the main issues. Life expectancy, literacy and per capita income are further considerations.

‘What Will We Be without Them?’ Rural Intellectuals in the State and NGOs in Zimbabwe’s Crisis-Ridden Countryside

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 595-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Moore ◽  
Zenzo Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The State ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
South West ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
State Organizations ◽  
The Many

Research on NGOs in rural Zimbabwe suggests that ideas of automatic opposition between ‘civil society’ and/or non-governmental organizations and authoritarian states are too simple. Rather, relations between state and non-state organizations such as those referenced in this article, in the rural district of Mangwe about 200 kilometres south-west of Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo, are symbiotic. This contrasts with urban areas where political histories have led to more contested state-civil society relations in the last two decades, during which social movements with a degree of counter-hegemonic (or counter-regime) aspirations were allied with many NGOs and opposition political parties. Gramsci’s idea of ‘rural intellectuals’ could complement the widely used notion of ‘organic intellectuals’ to examine the members of the intelligentsia appearing to be at one with subordinate groups in the countryside and at odds with the state. Likewise state workers distant from the centre and close to their class peers in NGOs as well as their ‘subjects’ may operate with autonomy from their masters in ruling parties and states to assist, rather than repress, citizens and also to co-operate with NGO workers. This research indicates that discerning how hegemony works across whole state-society complexes is more complicated than usually perceived, given the many regional variations therein.

scholarly journals Promotion Of Primary Health Care In Pakistan: A Case Study Of The Role Of Non-Governmental Organizations In Promoting Primary Health Care In Karachi

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-74
Author(s):  
Fateh Muhmmad Burfat ◽  
Muhammad Yaqub ◽  
Naima Saeed ◽  
Misbah B. Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Masses

The present study “Promotion of Primary Health Care in Pakistan: A Case Study of the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Promoting Primary Health Care in Karachi” is aimed at determining the role of NGOs in the promotion of primary health Care sector in Pakistan with special reference to Karachi. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the role and performance of relevant NGOs working in Karachi in the health sector. It is a quantitative research. A questionnaire based to obtain the opinions of respondents. The health care is the basic responsibility of the state. However, the NGOs play their role in promoting the health care facilities. It was noted that the primary health care system is still not working properly. NGO sector was given a wide room and finances but unfortunately they did not make the required contribution. Their lack of technical knowledge and accountability was a factor in their failure. The prevailing attitude towards health care among the masses has not changed despite the efforts of the NGO sector. Therefore the basic health conditions of the masses at the grass roots level continue to be poor. The stake holders in the health care sector should rethink about their strategies to improve health care facilities in Karachi.

scholarly journals SOCIETAL AWARENESS OF THE CHILD’S RIGHTS ACT AMONG RURAL AND URBAN DWELLERS OF OGUN STATE

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27
Author(s):  
W. G. OJEBIYI ◽  
O. R., ASHIMOLOWO ◽  
T. O. A. BANMEKE ◽  
A. M. ARIYO
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
International Agencies ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Ogun State ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Rural And Urban

Protecting the rights of children has become important to local and international agencies of government and non-governmental organizations. This led to the formulation of laws that provided for and protected the rights of the child. Such laws include the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Nigeria’s Child’s Rights Act (CRA) and the Child’s Rights Law of Ogun State. However, the provisions of these documents seem to be inefficient in curbing the violation of child’s rights due to the high prevalence of street hawking, raping, corporal punishment, etc among children in Nigeria and Ogun State in particular. Hence, this study sought the societal awareness of CRA in rural and urban areas of Ogun State. About 243 rural and urban residents were interviewed through multistage sampling techniques with the aid of questionnaires and interview schedules administered on the different groups of respondents. The result showed that 69.14% of Ogun State residents were aware of the CRA. It further revealed that awareness of CRA was higher in urban than rural areas. Awareness of CRA was primarily sourced through the radio (42.86%) and television (42.86%). Radio and awareness campaigns were the most common sources of awareness among rural (51.76%) and urban (65.06%) residents respectively. The study recommended that government agencies and non-governmental organizations should sponsor more programmes that will be specifically directed to raising residents’ awareness of CRA in rural areas of the state.  

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