People's perspectives on health care services in rural Andhra Pradesh: An epidemiologic study

Abstract

In the context of growing recognition of health as a vital component of human capital and the need for evolving sustainable health care system (HCS), an epidemiologic study was conducted in an area in rural AP in 2006. The empirical results show a higher level of sickness than at the state level and poor access and utilisation of existing HCF. It further reveals public-private differential orienting to the private sector in the post- Reform period. The growth is uni-dimensional in modern medicine. It further reveals that they are less satisfied with HCS in public as well as private. The respondents ‘ perspectives are: a mounting dissatisfaction of existing public as well as private services, need for preventive rather than curative approach including health education and a re- look at the grass root level increasingly demanding more by way of quality in public health services and greater regulation of the private sector to ensure cost-saving, increasing the access and in overall, a health policy in tune with a holistic approach.