Challenges beckon

The health sector is viewed very critically as its progress reflects the health status of the people in the country. There are problems galore in the health service delivery because of the topography of the country and cultural barriers. Moreover, the remote districts are often reported to being sans the deputed medical personnel, leaving the people without health services that is their right. Yet, the government has not been able to mend its fences as far as manning the health facilities around the country is concerned. Besides, the recent news reports from Dipayal pointed to the fact that the drugs meant for the district health units were found abandoned at the hotels in the district headquarters. This shows the utter negligence as regards the delivery of the essential drugs to its destination. The same might be happening in other districts as well. Whatever it may be, the victims are the people who come to the health facilities for diagnosis and treatment of their ailments, and they are entitled to free medicines provided by the Health Ministry. Slogans do not work magic, ‘health for all’ can only be attained with all the logistics in place, about which there are ample grievances.

In this gloomy scenario, the achievement made in Millennium Development Goals-5 (MDGs-5) comes as a ray of hope. The MDGs-5 concerns the maternal health, which is what Safe Motherhood depends so much upon. As per the records, the maternal mortality rate has been brought down from 539 in 1996 to 281 per 100,000 live births in 2006, which is a remarkable 49 per cent reduction. This has materialised despite the reigning fluid politics. What seems to have spurred this development could be the rising awareness among the expectant mothers, and the government’s initiative of waiving user fees for safe delivery services in government health facilities in the country, and also the cash incentives provided to the mothers. Despite all that, there are many mothers-to-be who are unaware of the facilities that they can avail of. Going together with it is the MDGs-4, which is concerned about child health. It is awe-inspiring that the under-five child mortality rate has declined from 118 per thousand live births in 1996 to 54 in 2011. However, the neo-natal mortality remains a serious concern.

There are glimmers of hope for achieving the MDGs in the health sector, but one has to be cautious about the often ad-hoc way of handling the specific needs and demands of the health sector. It is true that women have to always remain the focus as the next generation’s health and well-being rests on them. To make them aware of their health needs and the health facilities that they can avail of is urgent. However, plans do not make much sense unless the props, that is the health facilities, are manned properly, with an adequate stock of the essential drugs for free distribution. Monitoring of the health services offered by the government health facilities needs more strictness, and there is need to take serious note of absenteeism of health professionals from their respective posts. More budgetary allocation for the health sector together with enhanced human resources are what makes sense, among others.

Retain youths

Youths in droves are fleeing their villages in search of employment in foreign countries. It was once believed that this trend would stop once peace was restored in the country. However, this is not so as indicated by reports from far-flung villages in Okhaldunga, which have almost become devoid of youths. This must be the same in other remote districts. The youths opt to go abroad in search of greener pastures at the same time leaving arable land barren. If this trend was to continue, the country would stand to lose much in the long run. Adversely affected would be social life not to talk about the life in the villages. Thus, it was high time the government intervened and set up infrastructures to build agricultural and cottage industries to create more jobs.

Since the youths are the most productive segment of the society, the country cannot afford to lose them. For this, employment opportunities ought to be generated without further delay, and the youths must be encouraged to take part in development endeavours in the country itself. This, however, calls for appropriate strategies.

Aditorial.(The Himalayan)