Tribals display a far less health modernity as compared to the rest of the population. Their own beliefs, illiteracy, poverty, non-access to. How to deal with this problem?
Posted On : 4/7/2009 4:58:28 AM
Siddharth Ray Reward Points : 61200 Member Since : Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Hi Anjana, its nice to this question. Well, once I co ordinated a project of tribal welfare and found that there are some specific reasons that results in severe diseases amongst them. Deficiency of essential components in diet leading to malnutrition, protein calorie malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies vit A, iron and iodine are common. Goitre of various grades is also endemic in some of the tribal areas. Water borne and communicable diseases: Gastrointestinal disorders, particularly. Dsentery and parasitic infections are very common, leading to marked morbidity and malnutrition. Malaria and tuberculosis still remain a problem in many tribal areas, while the spectrum of viral and venereal diseases have not been studied in-depth. High prevalence of genetic disorders mostly involving red blood cells: Genetically transmitted disorders like sickle cell anaemia, glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and different forms of thalassaemia are also common. All these defects lead to the early destruction of red blood cells and add to the overall anaemia. Excess consumption of alcohol: The brewing of alcohol from Mohua flower and fruits has been practiced traditionally. However, the switch over to commercially available liquor is likely to be a major threat. Superstitions particularly related to health problems and extreme poverty. Our group started to practise few programmes. In the various areas, herbal therapies were done for the HIV positive people. Among the tribal where modern medicine system is not in full-fledge, the people primarily take indigenous herbal medicine at the time of need. Cadres of traditional health practitioners, spiritualists, birth attendants and herbalists are found in every village, in poor urban neighborhood, and in tribal areas. The traditional health providers have a high degree of credibility and are usually the first source of help sought by individuals when they become ill. And the risk of infection on HIV/AIDS can be reduced by imparting awareness, knowledge and preventive measures through these traditional health practitioners, spirituals, birth attendants, traditional midwives and herbalists as these are the integral part of the tribal s traditional culture. WE tried to give them herbal medicine for every common health problem. These herbal therapies were effective in curing certain of the opportunistic infections that come with AIDS. Perhaps some of the tribal therapies have some of the anti-retroviral qualities like Turmeric, a naturally occurring spice has shown promise. Tribal also use Keezhanelli, a common weed in Tamil Nadu in South India, for centuries as a treatment of Hepatitis A. The chemical analysis result showed that Keezhanelli had some antiretroviral properties as a reverse. Small, yet effective programmes have to be started in each of the tribal villages to make these people cured of dangerous diseases.
Posted On : 4/7/2009 5:53:29 AM
Ratna Shah Reward Points : 16600 Member Since : Monday, April 07, 2008
Due to a combination of societal attitudes, varying belief systems, and governmental neglect, tribal populations throughout India have long been denied basic healthcare. As a result, gaping disparities in health status of tribals, when compared to metropolitan areas, are evident. Genetic abnormalities and infectious diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, typhoid, and cholera are rampant in areas of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, and Assam states. Further, the inadequate health infrastructure for the health needs of the tribals is also a major factor. There remains a conspicuous lack of maternal and child health services among the hilly tribal areas and consequently, the tribal demographic scenario is one of high fertility, high maternal and infant mortality rates.
Posted On : 4/7/2009 11:11:07 PM
Anju Malhotra Reward Points : 61200 Member Since : Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Tribal India Health Foundation is a non-profit organization formed by existing tribal health initiatives to significantly improve the health status of their target populations, while also encouraging the formation of more tribal health initiatives throughout India. This will enable tribal populations to break their current cycle of poverty and ill health and enjoy better lives. The Tribal India Health Foundation to achieve several program objectives.....Strengthening the capacity of organizations dedicated to tribal health to identify and address the health needs of the communities in which they work. Spreading the benefits of the foundation to new partners and their respective beneficiaries. Promoting additional interest, support, research, and funding for tribal health initiatives in the private sector. The Tribal India Health Foundation, with its partners, also provides stewardship to the Sickle Cell Disease Center in South India to alleviate the burden of sickle-cell
Tribal Health In India
