Is  healthcare  available as a  right  or  a  privilege  in  rural  India

(I  was  asked  this  question recently  and  this  is  how  I  answered  the  same)

In rural India healthcare is abundant but scientific healthcare as is practiced across the world is totally absent. Blatant frauds, myths, superstitions, and misconceptions prevail, promoted by all kinds of qualified and unqualified “doctors”. A graduate in any discipline practicing medicine would be one of the better healthcare providers even without a degree in medicine. Quacks and qualified doctors of alternate systems of medicine practice modern scientific medicine with impunity and third generation single dose intravenous antibiotic followed by few tablets  of  a  different  group  is universally considered treatment for all kinds of fever.

Multi colored IV fluids  with  different  charges  for  each,  injections to cure “weakness”  and  as  a  proof  of  being  a  competent  doctor (Sometimes  with contaminated  syringes) , and all kinds of massage for acute abdomen are available and all heart attacks are considered dyspepsia unless the patient is dead on arrival. Qualified  neurologists  are  shunned  in  favor  of  alternate  systems  of  medicine  for  diseases  like  CVA  and  Seizures. Jaundice  of  any  form  has  universal  treatment  in  form  of  a blessed "Tabeez" (Thread) tied on  the  arm  and  radish  juice. 

Qualified Doctors of modern scientific medicine are faced with hostility since they are forced by their training to show the true picture. Violence against them , motivated by vested interests discourages any young doctor with a shred of desire to serve the humanity. The  recent  suicide  by  a  gynaecologist  in  Rajasthan  faced  by  mob  instigated  by  vested  interests  was  an  extreme  example. Doctors  treating  tribals in  remote  villages have  been  prosecuted  for  being  naxalite  sympathizers as  antinational. The rape of modern scientific medicine is big business in rural India  and  it is  important  to  keep  the  public  misguided  lest  they  someday  start  to  demand  healthcare  in  its  true  sense  from  their  Government. If reality was ever truly depicted, it would classify among the worst crimes against humanity. However since interests of local politicians align with those of quacks situation remains same with doctors of modern scientific medicine remaining cowering in cities while the crosspaths and frauds rule the roost in the heartlands.

Public  health  infrastructure  in  rural  India  is  pathetic. The  number  of  clinical  establishments  meant  to  cater  to  the  rural  population  have  not  increased  in  past  3-4  decades. The  human  resource  for  these  establishments  are  depleted  and  not  replenished. Maintenance of  infrastructure  is  very  poor  and  basic  amenities  are  lacking. They  are  poorly equipped  and  medicines  are  frequently  out  of  stock. Their  role  remains  limited  to token  fulfillment of requirements  under  various  national programs.    

So to answer your question, though healthcare has been deemed as a fundamental right under article 21 of Indian constitution as decided in a catena of judgments by honorable Supreme Court, it remains so in theory. Getting affordable , accessible, appropriate  and  scientific healthcare is a privilege even in cities and is a  miracle in villages.

Dr  Neeraj  Nagpal 

Convenor,Medicos  Legal  Action  Group,   Managing Director MLAG  Indemnity,  

Ex  President  IMA  Chandigarh

Director Hope Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Clinic,

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