Disability Prevention initiatives in Rural India Assessing Adequacy

Abstract

Primary healthcare is a central feature of all national health care systems delivering high quality care at affordable cost. The state in India has focused on establishing an elaborate, efficient and effective system of primary healthcare which would aid to the creation of a healthy and productive nation state vital for the future development of the country. The National Rural Health Mission 2005 aimed to provide accessible and affordable Universal Health Care keeping in mind both quality and equity of care by ensuring health care delivery, and synergy between health and determinants of good health. Yet the National Rural Health Mission, which has been revamped several times over the last few years, has little to offer to persons with disabilities in terms of access to health facilities. The Primary Health Care system in India remains unresponsive to the requirements of disabled people, whether it is general health needs or impairment specific issues. The World Programme of Action for Disabled Persons (United Nations, 1982) stressed three things necessary for the state to provide in order to safeguard the rights of disabled persons and ensure their wellbeing. These fall under the broad headings - prevention, rehabilitation, and equalization of opportunities. This paper attempts to explore the ways in which the primary health system in rural areas addresses prevention of disability both during pregnancy and after the birth of a new born baby and in early childhood in 2 states of India, West Bengal and Odisha. West Bengal is at 13^th position at the border of low-middle level of the Human Development Index 2007-08 and Odisha is at 22^nd position with very poor status of human development. Data analysis based on secondary data compiled from Census reports 2011, District Census Handbooks and National Rural Health Mission allowed for drawing up a picture of availability of services that help reduce or mitigate the incidence of disability.