ENABLING SELF CARE

SELF CARE 2

To sustain health-prevent disease-read symptoms-return to health




WHY WE NEED IT?



The national health care systems in countries of the sub-continent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) have evolved from the precepts of the modern system of medicine and owe their origin to the colonial past of the countries, for the same reason English plays a significant role in medical education.
The public health expenditure varies from 1.7% of GDP (Bangladesh) to 0.8 % (India). However the private health expenditure in all these countries indicates an unmet need.
Information on the functioning of the health system in these countries is sketchy and incomplete, however a recent study from India shows the all-cause years of life lost (YLL) in rural India in 1995 was 207 per 1000 population. The minimum was 74 in Kerala and maximum 276 in Madhya Pradesh. Pneumonia was the top cause responsible for 15 YLL.
The concept of primary care is of recent origin and is unfamiliar to the provider and the community; lack of supervision and community satisfaction are additional impediments to improvement in function of the system.
The density of population varies from 285 sq/km (Sri Lanka) to 845 sq/km in (Bangladesh) the percentage of life span spent in poor health varies from 10 (Sri Lanka) to 13 (Bangladesh)
There is adequate information that urban secondary and tertiary level components of the public health systems are over used and under-resourced. This depreciates quality of care.
In the countries of this region population growth and migration outstrips the planning process thus the need to sensitize the population through media with valid messages on self care.
In the developed countries it is being realized that in chronic disorders management, integration of medical agenda with patient perception is the road to self management regimes.
Self Care in minor illness at home will reduce demand on health system resources and lead to improved quality of care.
The resources constraint is likely to continue. There is need for alternate strategies.
Any questions be sent to drmmkapur@gmail.com you will receive a response
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