I am passionate about spreading healthcare reality stories.The problem is the balance between telling the truth, which can cause panic and promote the scientific and research-backed ways of doing things.C-section, natural birthing, and home birthing are very popular topics.Sincerely avoid courting controversy, so I have never written about it on my blog.But then Mycity4kids started a campaign, I felt I could at least share my own story and my experience during my training as a medical student.
The ground realities in a country like India, cannot be appreciated from a middle-class home.Neither can it be understood by people who can afford private healthcare.The truth is,20 % of India’s population are left at the mercy of private healthcare(comprising of 80%of healthcare services) and Government healthcare for the teeming masses.The doctor-patient ratio at a Government hospital is unimaginable.Try visiting an OPD of a Government hospital and you will get the drift!
As doctors, we are taught about triage.About who needs what urgently, about prioritization of healthcare.We are also taught, that India’s population needs to be controlled.
Strangely enough, NO ONE wants to address this issue of lack of control in this matter!
How in heavens name can you provide for a population, which grows at this rate?
19.3 births/1,000 population, 7.3 deaths/1,000 population. 73,787 births per day, 26,789 deaths per day. 3,074 births each hour, 1,116 deaths each hour.
(source medindia.net)
[bctt tweet=”73,787 births per day, 26,789 deaths per day. That’s India for you.What should be the number one step? #drAwrites #HWB” username=”misra_amrita”]
Seriously thinking what should we do?
Challenges are:
- Population control
- Education and healthcare
- Entrepreneurship
Problems we need to solve for a healthy nation.We need to improve the Quality.Right now we are stuck with quantity.Masses who are unaware, uneducated, drawn to lives of poverty, crime, and total hopelessness.
What could be the way forward?
Any suggestions?Comment below to let me know.
Click to read my article on mycity4kids its a featured post on their Facebook page.
Really an eye opener ,I want to say India is still struggling with better option for health care
A great post. Though India is shining at economic front, the scenario is quiet saddening at healthcare front.
Thanks, Hena.
I always wondered what were some of the control laws for countries with a lot of population. This is definitly eye opening. Those stats were crazy.
Yes they are.
Richh in awareness and research as usual Doc- well written stuff
Healthcare is such an important topic. The good and the bad. Thank you for bring awareness, this is a great post!
Thanks Shanon
It’s actually unanswerable questions. I think all should be given equal and high priority attention for the well being of our country.
This is definitely not a topic that is talked of heavily or often. It’s great of you to bring more awareness.
Wow. So many health care challenges everywhere! Thanks for sharing. I had no idea!
Very interesting read. It’s so interesting how health care is different in every single country.
Jill
Yes I have heard of more natural birth outside than in India. Back home it has become quite normal to go for c – section. Since I am not a mother, I can’t say much on the topic, but whatever is safe for the mother should be provided at all costs.
This is interesting. I imagine it would be tough in India. I personally wouldn’t want a C-section unless I really had to have one, but if I couldn’t have an epidural, I’d go for that. No one could I give birth without drugs.
It’s frightening when you see statistics like that. Thank you for sharing the information with us; it’s important for everyone to realise where the strengths and weaknesses are.
Those are big challenges indeed. There may still be a long way to go, but it should start with raising awareness of the issues. It is not just a public health issue, rather, it needs support from many sectors of the government.
Great post! It’s a tough situation and whatever the outcome it will always be good for some and bad for others.
WOW, I had no idea about the India health stats. The healthcare systems can overall improve.
I have seen government hospitals across cities, patients and reality..Healthcare is improving a lot however we still have a lot remaining in our country
Great information which most of us are unaware about. There are many challenges not only in the healthcare sector but many other sectors. Thanks for sharing this article.