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Primary health care gained a major thrust in 1977 when at Alma Ata conference, World Health Organization (WHO) accepted and advocated this concept. It has defined primary health care as:
”essential healthcare base on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technologies made universally accessible to individuals and families in the communities through their full participation and at a cost the country and community can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.”[15]
Currently India has a vast network of primary health centers (PHCs) and associate staff[16]. (Table 1)
How ICT can help in primary health care?
There are 8 components of primary health care described in the Alma Ata conference, also known sometimes as ELEMENTS of primary health care. Those components can be integrated with ICT applications. A brief summery of possible examples can be:
(1) Use of ICT as a tool of education about commonly prevalent diseases, their prevention and treatment.
(2) Developing monitoring systems on supply chains of various health related goods including:
- Family planning products
- Vaccines
- Food supply under present system of distribution.
- Monitoring the water supply lines/ canals by establishing electronic monitoring points in the line.
(3) Early transmission of patients’ data to the tertiary care center upon referral of the patient, which can save valuable time.
However any application of the ICT should take into account the basic guiding principles of the primary health care systems, viz. community participation and equitable distribution[17]. As of now, doubts are being raised over the efficiency of developing nations in utilizing the available resources through various mediums[18]. There have been usual allegations and counter allegations which mar the scenario of Indian health system. The media repeatedly points out the glaring dissimilarity in healthcare between the poor and the rich[19]. It is tie now for the governments to stop investing in marriage beauros[20] and work in a constructive manner[21].
TABLE 1
VHG 3.26 LACS
Trained dai 660996
Subcentres 137027
PHC 23266
CHC 2962
Training of FHW 133618
Training of MHW 73266
Training of LHW 19475
REFERENCES
[1] Annan K. Making globalization work for the poor. The Hindu. Undated
[2] Nehru J. Discovery of India. Oxford university press. New Delhi, 1980; 34
[3] Ajaykumar. E-government & efficiency, accountability & transparency. Electronic J Info systems in developing countries. 2003. 12(2) 1-5
[4] Sèror A. The Internet, global Healthcare management systems and sustainable development: future scenarios. Electronic J Info Systems in developing countries. 2003: 5 (1); 1-18
[5] McClelland S. ‘The economics of need.’ Telecommunications: Americas Edition, 1998: 32(5); 10
[6] Radhika V. Telemedicine service in Pune primary health centers. Asia Pacific Network Information Centre. (URL: http://www.apnic.net/mailing-lists/s-asia-it/archive/2001/05/msg00006.html) (Cited November 1, 2003)
[7] Anon. Sustainable Access in Rural India (SARI) Voice and Internet services in Madurai district. Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (URL: http://www.tenet.res.in/rural/sari.html) (Cited November 1, 2003)
[8] Park K. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. (17th Ed.) 2003: 265 Banarasidas Bhanot Publishers. Jabalpur. India
[9] Annual Report (1999-2000) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. New Delhi. (URL:http://www.mohfw.nic.in) (Cited on November 1, 2003)
[10] Anon. ‘Telehealth industry: Overview & prospects. Industry Canada: Health Industries Branch. 2001. (URL:http://strategies.ic.gc.ca/SSG/hs01321e.html) (Cited on November 1, 2003)
[11] Baxi MV. Update Medical Education in India. (Submitted for publication)
[12] For globalized outlook, we must loose boundaries: Pitroda. The Indian Express (Vadodara Newsline) January 18, 2003
[13] Anon. ‘Telehealth industry: Overview & prospects. Industry Canada: Health Industries Branch. 2001. (URL:http://strategies.ic.gc.ca/SSG/hs01321e.html) (Cited on November 1, 2003)
[14] Park K. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. (17th Ed.) 2003: 265 Banarasidas Bhanot Publishers. Jabalpur. India
[15] Declaration of Alma-Ata. International Conference on Primary Health Care, Alma-Ata, USSR. World Health Organization. Geneva. (1978) (URL: www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/declaration_almaata.pdf) (Cited November 1, 2003)
[16] Park K. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. (17th Ed.) 2003: 637 Banarasidas Bhanot Publishers. Jabalpur. India
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