24x7 healthcare for tribal students

24x7 healthcare for tribal students

Pune: To reduce the death rate and number of disease among the tribal students, the Centre has directed the Maharashtra government to deploy 24x7 healthcare providers for tribal schools across the State.

In consideration of this, the State government issued a GR to appoint a Hyderabad-based company for catering to 85,000 tribal students studying. 

There are total 1,100 Ashramshalas in the State, out of which 502 are government-run schools while rest are aided. The State government has hired Hyderabad-based company – Amey Life Limited to provide health services to 201 government tribal schools and six Eklavya Schools, while Bharat Vikas Group (BVG) will operate in other 301 government tribal schools and eight Eklavya Schools. 

As Ashramshalas and Eklavya Schools are residential schools, State government has underlined the need of few developments in these schools. The objective of the project is to provide proper health service infrastructure for students. Students who need regular treatment can avail tele-medicines prescribed from expert doctors. These students will be provided with an electronic health card for the emergency facility.

Until 2018, the death rate of tribal students stands approximately at 1,300. In the decade of 2002-2012, the death toll stood at 793, as per the government statistics, revealed Ravindra Talpe, a tribal activist.

“Lack of immediate medical intervention is the major issue in tribal areas. These tribal students often don’t receive timely medical attention as most of these schools are far by at least 40 km from tehsil or hospitals in the area. 
Even the 793 students who died in 10 years for different reasons like the snake bite, fever, drowning, suicide etc., didn’t receive the golden-hour treatment which could have saved their lives,” said Talpe.

However, Talpe also expressed that students of aided Ashramshalas also suffer due to poor medical intervention, hence the State government should extend the facilities to them.

Anjali Kurane, a professor associated with the Department of Anthropology at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) highlighted that the primary issue is malnourishment due to which tribal students frequently fall ill.

“Definitely forming a health committee to facilitate healthcare to tribal students is a good step but State government should also focus on whether these students are getting proper nutritious meals as shown on paper to the government. Maximum of the health issues will get resolved if their diets are monitored and regularised,” said Kurane.

She also added that apart from proper nutrition, it is necessary that the State government monitors the available health facilities in respective areas of tribal schools.

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com