Naslov
ORGANIZATION OF DIABETES HEALTH CARE IN INDIAN RURAL AREAS

Autori
Bhaskara Rao, M ; Prašek, M ; Metelko, Ž

Izvornik
Diabetologia Croatica (0351-0042) 31 (2002), 3; 161-172

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
organization; health care; rural areas; india

Sažetak
Emergencies in diabetes can be fatal if not attended promptly. Moreover, successful treatment of patients with diabetes depends on regular contact with the caring physician. There are thousands of villages in India where people have to walk or travel by bullock cart for miles together to obtain even a simple medical aid. A more challenging problem is the scarcity in rural areas of lavatory facilities, which are essential for proper care of diabetes patients. In India, facilities for even ordinary clinical and biochemical investigations are available only in large towns and cities but not in small towns or villages. Remedies for diabetes prescribed by native medical men include neem tree leaves, bitter gourd juice, honey, etc. Some quacks have made fortunes selling wooden tumblers made from a particular tree, claiming that cold water kept in a tumbler for a few hours has an antidiabetic action. From the above description it is evident that there are many major problems and challenges in diabetic health care in India. Today, the position of India is unique in that it shares all health and economic problems of developing countries, and at the same time the incidence of diabetes, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease is not very low. A comprehensive approach is necessary for planning and implementing prevention and control programs for noncommunicable diseases including diabetes with common underlying risk factors.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

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