Tribal Women and Issues of Health in Assam

 

By

Sasanka Dhaval Saikia

Lecturer in Political Science

J.D.S.G. College, Bokakhat

 

Introduction

Issues of health have been the area of critical concern in 21st century India basically in case of women and that too rural women. Though everyone has been adversely affected by poor health conditions, yet the rate among women and children is high in comparison to men. Any rise in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is alarming for any state in India. Amongst women the tribal are more adversely affected by the health factors. Abundance of health care facilities is not the only criterion in this regard since lack of consciousness very often stands in ways of development of rural tribal women. This paper will examine the issues related to health of tribal women and possible suggestions to it.

Objective of the Study

•The Main objective of the study is to find out the health status of women particularly tribal women of Assam

Since all the relevant issues cannot be incorporated into this study, some of the key aspects like MMR, Prenatal Care, and sanitation have been selected for the entire analysis.

Methodology

•Only secondary data is used for every analysis throughout the study

•a blanket analysis on the available basic healthcare facilities and infrastructure of Assam will be one of the tools for the study

•Logical content analysis of some of the statistical data will provide the backbone to the study.

Health Issues of Women

The biggest challenge at the present era regarding health of women in India is high Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR).

According to the Sample Registration Services (SRS) 2004-2006, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) for Assam was 480 per 100,000 live births - the highest in the country. India's MMR was 254.

Reasons:Lack of required nutrition high rate of maternal anemialack of proper sanitationIlliteracylack of consciousnessgender discrimination in every aspects like nutrition, care, working conditions, etc.

Some Other Related Reasons of Low profile health status of rural tribal women:

oextra burden of child rearing

odomestic workload

olack of access to safe drinking water

onon-access to scientific information

According to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) India by 2015 has to reduce the MMR to 109 per 1, 00,000 live births as compared to 254 per 1,00,000 live births in the period 2004-06 

Healthcare infrastructure in Assam

It is imperative in this respect to focus on the available healthcare infrastructure of Assam

The Healthcare Infrastructure in Assam

Health facility Numbers

Medical Colleges 4

State-level hospital 1(MMC in Guwahati)

District hospital 21

Sub-Divisional Hospitals 13(FRU-3)

CHC 108(FRU-36)

PHC(including Block PHC) 844

SC 4592

B.Sc. Nursing colleges 1

GNM training centers 15

ANM training centers 18

Steps Taken by the Government

National Drug Policy of 1978National Health Policy of 1983National Health Policy of 2002National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) 2005-2012

NRHM is significant since it has till now ensured institutional births through its Janani Suraksha Yojana. In Assam The Govt. Has introduced schemes like Mamoni and Majoni.

Cont..

Cont..

At least 2, 23,925 mothers have been benefited by this scheme in 2007-08. It was 1,82,873 in 2006-07.

The RCH (Reproductive and Child Health Programme of the Govt. is another step towards uplifting health of rural tribal women.

The goal is- each pregnant woman to receive at least three antenatal checkups, 2 TT injections and a full course of Iron and folic acid supplementation

Indicator Present Status Status prior to NRHM

DLHS-3

2007-08

CES, RRC-NE

2009

DLHS-2

2002-04

Institutional Delivery (%)

35.3 % 66.3% 23.2 %

Mothers who had three or more ANC (%) 46.4% 68.3% 39.4%

Mothers who had at least one tetanus toxoid injection (%)

69.3% 88.9% 55.0%

Maternal Health Indicators, Assam

Item Required

In Position Shortfall

Sub-centre 5063 4592 471Primary Health Centre 826 844 -Community Health Centre 206 103 103Multipurpose Worker(Female)/ANM

5436 8289 -

Health Worker (Male)/MPW(M) 4592 - -Health Assistants(Female)/LHV 844 - -Health Assistants(Male) 844 - -Doctor at PHCs 844 408 436Surgeons 103 73 30Obstetricians & Gynaecologists 103 142 -Physicians 103 77 26Paediatricians 103 73 30Total specialists at CHCs 412 365 47Radiographers 103 - -Pharmacist 947 - -Laboratory Technicians 947 - -Nurse Midwife 1565 3206 -

Shortfall in Infrastructure

Problems:HabitatLack of EducationLack of Health ConsciousnessPresence of Traditional EthosInfrastructural ShortageManpower ShortageRural ConnectivityAbsence of Technological Up gradationNon-Hygienic Conditions both at home and health centres PovertyInsurgencyThe time limitation of NRHM

Suggestions

Education Proper SanitationAdequate HousingProper Working ConditionHealth related promotional campaigns by Govt.Continuation of NRHM beyond 2012Access to safe drinking waterUse of Mass MediaManpower Shortage should be addressed

Conclusion

The problems discussed should be addressed with proper care by the govt. Mere better medical facilities alone cannot help in reducing the health hazards of rural women, particularly tribal, other aspects like sanitation, housing, and most importantly education is key in this respect. Its not just the case of any tribal women, yet it represents the entire women community of India and the world. It is high time for women to be developed and empowered along with their male counterparts by taking a giant leap towards a secured reproductive health for a better future.

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