Sustainable Health Care for People in Orissa
In Orissa state, India, poverty and poor health are widespread with 90% of its 36 million population living below poverty line and with only 30% of the health services being operational. The most marginalised groups in Orissa come from Scheduled Castes and Tribes, who are discriminated against because of their caste status and are unable to even meet their families' most basic needs for food, clothing, and adequate shelter. There is also a great lack of primary health services and appropriately trained medical staff for these groups, including ante- and post-natal care, family planning, health education and the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.This project is an example of an initiative which is testing new models of funding for health services in one of the poorest states in India. We are renovating two existing government primary health care centres which will deliver high services for marginalised groups. The gradual introduction of fees for some services/clients, insurance schemes and a public-private partnership will contribute to the sustainability of services. We are also supporting marginalised communities to improve their financial prospects through vocational training and to become more actively involved in decision-making in relation to services that affect their own health and development.
