Rural India Faces Growing Healthcare Challenges: New Report Highlights Shift Towards 'Neighbourhoods Of Care'

The State of Healthcare in Rural India Report – 2024, unveiled at the India Rural Colloquy, provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and innovations in rural healthcare. 

Conducted by Transform Rural India (TRI) and its initiative, the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU), the survey surveyed 5,389 households across 21 states. Central to the report is the introduction of the “Neighbourhoods of Care” model, which advocates for a shift from traditional health delivery methods to a more holistic and personalised approach. This model emphasises community engagement and collaboration among health professionals, organisations, and residents to address health needs, moving beyond mere clinical interventions.

Key findings from the report include a rising concern about mental health in rural areas, with 45 per cent of respondents reporting anxiety and worry. This statistic underscores the need for comprehensive mental health support in these communities.

Dr. Maj Gen (Prof) Atul Kotwal, Executive Director of the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), commented on the findings: “The current health system includes various providers such as ASHAs and CHOs, working within an evolving ecosystem. This model, highlighted by the eco-socio-epidemiological approach, aims to address health comprehensively rather than relying solely on technocratic solutions. It underscores the need to integrate community and behavioural dynamics into health planning.”

Additional findings reveal that over 60 per cent of respondents lack life insurance coverage, while diagnostic facilities and access to affordable medicines remain significant challenges. Only 12.2 per cent of respondents have access to subsidised medicines, and 21 per cent lack a nearby medical store.

The report also highlights infrastructure issues, such as inadequate drainage systems and waste disposal facilities. Approximately one in five respondents reported no drainage system in their villages, and 43 per cent of households lack scientific waste disposal systems.

Regarding employment, 44 per cent of participants earn primarily through farming, with daily wage laborers making up 21 per cent of the workforce. Only 14.2 per cent hold full-time or part-time jobs, while the remainder engage in vocational trades like tailoring and carpentry.

Shyamal Santra, Associate Director of Health and Nutrition at TRI, emphasized the importance of focusing on holistic health, stating, “This report looks at the need for maintaining good health as a standard. It’s about individuals, their families, their social connections, and their caregivers.”

The report concludes with a call for enhanced training and support for local leaders and service providers to better address the needs of rural communities.

The fourth edition of the India Rural Colloquy 2024, organized by TRI, continues this conversation by gathering diverse voices to inspire actionable solutions for rural development.