Health & hospitals

Sir, - I wholeheartedly endorse the views expressed in the article ``Health and Hospitals'' by Mr. L. M. Menezes (TheHindu, Sept. 26). The word ``health'' is often misunderstood and linked with hospitals and treatment by medical doctors. On the contrary, it is concerned with the well-being and ability to perform tasks in a vibrant society. After all, staying healthy is the most important thing. That is what health is all about - not illness and hospitals. In other words, we will continue to need the services of doctors in some situations, but do we have to depend on health professionals in dealing with ordinary ailments? For instance, simple dietary control, rest and relaxation can cure most of the common ailments.

Let us not forget that most of the health problems are preventable by the individual than curable by the physician. Also, let us bear in mind that it is largely the way of life that determines the level of health. Therefore the only alternative approach left for us is to bring about improvement in the health status of the people by encouraging them to become self-reliant in the matter of health care. However, self-reliance must not be misunderstood to mean that ultimately people will assume full responsibility for their health and that there is therefore no need for doctors and hospitals.

There is a misconception that if one has money, lives in a good home in a clean environment, and adopts a healthy lifestyle one can stay healthy and not care about the living condition of others. They seem to overlook that the mosquitoes and flies have not learnt to differentiate between the rich and the poor. We all know that great changes have taken place in the world during the last couple of centuries, with impressive advances in technology and medicine. It is indeed a paradox that these developments do not mean much to 77 per cent of the population living in rural areas and urban slums; a vast majority of them live below the poverty line with little or no access to health services.

Social justice demands every individual and every family, irrespective of their economic status, has access to essential health care. However, our governments, both at the Centre and State levels, have neither the will nor the resources to create health infrastructure in rural areas within the foreseeable future. In a situation like this what can these hapless unserved and under-served people do? The only pragmatic approach is to encourage people to use their innate wisdom and practical experience to look after their health themselves.

Joseph C. George,

Nagercoil (TN)

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