31% urban poor didn't get treatment: Study
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PUNE: A study conducted by the D Y Patil Medical College on healthcare access, which covered 3,424 people from various slum pockets in the city, showed that inadequate healthcare infrastructure for the poor in the city has resulted into problems like incomplete immunisation of children, among others.
Amitav Banerjee, professor of community medicine, the D Y Patil Medical College, conducted the study in association with the India Health Progress, a platform created by NGOs, medical institutions, hospitals and organisations working in the healthcare sector, to find the reasons that hamperhealthcare access to the poor.
Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, Banerjee said that 3,424 people in all age groups were surveyed in urban slums of Pune and in surrounding rural areas like Alandi.
"Of the interviewed respondents, 58% believe that the most important barrier to healthcare access is poor healthcare quality and inadequate infrastructure. By poor quality, they mean inadequate equipment and irregular staff to address health complaints," Banerjee said.
He pointed out that the next big reason for inaccessibility to healthcare is affordability. "Total 31% of respondents expressed inability to seek treatment in the past six months due to financial constraints."
Banerjee said the study also tried to find out the percentage of urban poor with an insurance cover.
"Total 80.1% did not have any health insurance cover. Though some of these problems need to be looked into at national and state levels, we will soon be submitting a set of recommendations to the local corporations," Banerjee said.
Aman Gutpa of the India Health Progress (IHP) said the IHP is launching a Healthcare Access Week from April 4 to 9 in 10 cities to create awareness and to call for action for better healthcare access.
"About 1,000 organisations, including NGOs and hospitals and 10,000 volunteers are joining hands to demand the right to healthcare. Activities like marathons, signature campaigns, conferences and awareness programmes will be carried out during the week," Gupta said.
Amitav Banerjee, professor of community medicine, the D Y Patil Medical College, conducted the study in association with the India Health Progress, a platform created by NGOs, medical institutions, hospitals and organisations working in the healthcare sector, to find the reasons that hamperhealthcare access to the poor.
Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, Banerjee said that 3,424 people in all age groups were surveyed in urban slums of Pune and in surrounding rural areas like Alandi.
"Of the interviewed respondents, 58% believe that the most important barrier to healthcare access is poor healthcare quality and inadequate infrastructure. By poor quality, they mean inadequate equipment and irregular staff to address health complaints," Banerjee said.
He pointed out that the next big reason for inaccessibility to healthcare is affordability. "Total 31% of respondents expressed inability to seek treatment in the past six months due to financial constraints."
Banerjee said the study also tried to find out the percentage of urban poor with an insurance cover.
"Total 80.1% did not have any health insurance cover. Though some of these problems need to be looked into at national and state levels, we will soon be submitting a set of recommendations to the local corporations," Banerjee said.
Aman Gutpa of the India Health Progress (IHP) said the IHP is launching a Healthcare Access Week from April 4 to 9 in 10 cities to create awareness and to call for action for better healthcare access.
"About 1,000 organisations, including NGOs and hospitals and 10,000 volunteers are joining hands to demand the right to healthcare. Activities like marathons, signature campaigns, conferences and awareness programmes will be carried out during the week," Gupta said.
(source: the times of india)
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