Public Health System Response to the Healthcare Needs of an Indigenous Community in Kerala, India
| Author | Athira V.H., Nalini R. |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/00195561221108549 |
| Published date | 01 December 2022 |
| Date | 01 December 2022 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Public Health System
Response to the
Healthcare Needs of an
Indigenous Community
in Kerala, India
Athira V.H.1 and Nalini R.1
Abstract
The article aims to assess the public health system response towards the health
scenario of an indigenous community in Kerala in order to draw conclusions on
the success level and gaps in the tribal health administration. The study is a quali-
tative exploration through in-depth interviews of stakeholders. The research
highlights progress, strengths, deficiencies and barriers relating to the planning
and implementation of health care administration in Attappadi tribal block. The
major themes reflect on the healthcare administration in terms of evidence–
practice gap, health literacy and participatory planning, status of healthcare
interventions, and decentralisation. Various parameters of corrective actions for
the improvement in the administration are also discussed. There is a neces-
sity to improvise health interventions with the participation of tribal commu-
nities to derive sustainable solutions. Innovative and tailor-made programmes
which rely on evidence-based, strength-based and collaborative approaches can
improve the healthcare administration among the tribal communities.
Keywords
Public health, healthcare delivery, capacity-building, tribal health
Introduction
The World Health Organisation proffered universal health coverage as a critical
strategy to address the enduring hurdles in attaining health for all (World Health
Organisation, 2019). The United Nations Development Programme included
good health and wellbeing as the third of the Sustainable Development Goals
Article
Indian Journal of Public
Administration
68(4) 665–678, 2022
© 2022 IIPA
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DOI: 10.1177/00195561221108549
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1 Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.
Corresponding author:
Athira V.H., Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry 605014, India.
E-mail: athiravharikumar@gmail.com
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