Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: Access to quality healthcare for rural communities has garnered particular attention from legislators, policy makers and researchers in recent years. Since variety of elements contribute to lack of access to quality healthcare in rural areas, the problem needs to be viewed from multidisciplinary perspective, according to Dr. Sushil Sharma, HoD Cardiology, GMC, Jammu.
He made these remarks on the sidelines of a health check up cum awareness camp at Panchayat Jindlehar in RS Pura area.
“A vast literature from health and social sciences field suggests that the healthcare needs of individuals living in rural areas are different from those in urban areas, and rural areas often suffer from a lack of access to healthcare. These differences are the result of geographic, demographic, socio economic, work place and personal health factors. People living in rural areas also tend to have poorer socio economic conditions, less education, poor accessibility and higher rates of tobacco and alcohol use when compared to their urban counterparts. There are also high rates of poverty among rural dwellers in many parts of the world, and poverty is one of the biggest social determinants of health. Some studies even indicate that the life expectancy rates are higher in urban areas than in rural areas,” he added.
More than 200 patients were examined, evaluated and treated for various health ailments. ECG, Blood Sugar, Lipid profile and other necessary tests were also conducted and advised. Medicines were given as per the requirement.
Among others who were instrumental in this outreach activity included Dr. Shahbaz Khan and Dr. Wasim Ahmed. Paramedics and volunteers include Kamal Sharma, Raghav Rajput, Harvinder Singh, Rajinder Singh, Amandeep Singh, Mohd Altaf, Vikas Kumar, Raj Kumar, Rajiv Vohra, Sandeep Kohli, Dr. Richa Sharma along with her team including Rahul Jamwal, Koshika Sharma, Heena Sharma, Shriya Mahajan, Shivam Shan, Pervek Thakur, Sanjana Sharma, Himanshi Guleria and others.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
