CHAPTER I - SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE & TB CONTROL <<Back
 
b) Socio-Cultural, Socio-Economic & Demographic Aspects
 
036
AU : Rao KN
TI : The socio-economic aspects of tuberculosis.
SO : INDIAN J TB 1965, 12, 115-117.
DT : Per
AB :

The new approach to the role of socio-economic factors in TB control demands that social planning in respect of TB has to be in consonance with the overall development of the community. A rational allocation of existing resources in the context of this process of social change can be achieved only through a comprehensive and integrated approach. One of the important principles of social planning is the tailoring of a programme to the felt-need of the community. The intervention becomes more readily acceptable, less costly and allows the due share to the other felt-needs of the community. The overall development of the community and providing basic facilities leads to the better public participation in the TB control programme. Improved nutrition status of the people specially by feeding young, will help in preventing the breakdown of the disease. Since TB is equally prevalent in rural and urban areas, planning of the whole area by involving the existing facilities and development of effective rural TB services will bring the services within reach of every person. Regular and continuous training and supervision of the general staff to carry out TB activities is one of the prerequisite. A continuous anti-TB drug supply for treating about 4 million cases per year for a very long period of 20-30 years can be achieved with the help of international assistance.

Even if the programme is fairly effective, it is visualised that the control programme and social planning should be on long term basis for several decades.

KEYWORDS: SOCIO-ECONOMICS; SOCIAL PLANNING; INDIA.
 

 
  CHAPTER II - HEALTH SERVICES  
 
a) Health Policy, Delivery of Health Services & Health Care
 
090
AU : Rao KN
TI : Tuberculosis problem in India.
SO : INDIAN J TB 1966, 136, 85-93.
DT : Per
AB :

The article provides a description of the health facilities including medical manpower available in India in the mid-60s. Given that the population was rising by 2.2% per annum, it was suggested that the social and sociological significance of the increase of TB morbidity be considered in relation to population growth. Since the Indian tubercle bacillus, while less virulent, varied from strain to strain considerably more than in the European countries, it was recommended that devising ways to combat TB be based on the specific needs of the country. Over Rs. 2,000 crores per annum was expected to be needed to combat TB in India. Therefore, it was more cost- effective to expend funds in the prevention and control of TB rather than used towards covering the cost of illness and premature death.

TB control was one of the priority items in the National Health Programmes incorporated in the successive Five-Year Plans covering 30 years. On reviewing the earlier history of TB Services in India, it was evident that, while the prevalence of TB was recognised in India from 2,500 B.C., the awareness of its existence as a major problem only occurred in the early part of this century. The establishment of the TAI in 1939 marked the first national voluntary effort and also when domiciliary treatment for TB patients was first offered. The break out of the Second World War and the aftermath of the partition of India in 1947 brought all nation-building efforts to a standstill. Subsequently, in 1948, the Indian Government set up a separate TB Section in the DGHS, encouraging rededication to providing TB services; at the same time antibiotics began to replace the use of pneumo-thorax treatment. By the mid-60s, the TB control programme in India covered wide-ranging activities such as Preventive Services, TB Clinics, Hospitals & Sanatoria, Rehabilitation, Research and Health Education. The emphasis was on providing preventive & clinical services and domiciliary, anti-microbial activity. A description of various other anti-TB measures taken by governmental, voluntary and international agencies completes the review.

KEYWORDS: SOCIAL PROBLEM; HEALTH CARE; INDIA.
 
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