IMPRI Team
While the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world alike, its impact on people from disparate socio-economic groups has been unequal. Keeping in line with this and in continuation of the rural realities webinar series, the Centre for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS), Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) in collaboration with Centre for Development Communication and Studies (CDECS), Jaipur and Tarun Bharat Sangh, Alwar organized a panel discussion on “Rural Realities Health Security through Community- centered Approaches COVID-19 and Beyond- Rajasthan” on May 13th, 2021.
The IMPRI team gave a brief presentation in order to provide an overview of the state of Rajasthan. They informed the participants about the state’s geographical and socio-economic status and gave insight into the situation of COVID-19 in India and Rajasthan, highlighting pertinent emerging issues.
Dr. M R Seetharam, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, Mysore; Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) recapped the definition and determinants of health. He acknowledged that at the international level, there is a more system or policy approach towards health security and what we need is a human-centric approach at the grass-root level. Security has to be for everybody, both at the individual and group level.
Life style or behavioral issues can cause and enhance diseases. Employing trained human resources and focusing on other aspects in addition to IU beds and ventilators requires major attention, said Dr. MR Seetharam.
Multi- pronged issue
Further, he laid down the principles of maintaining COVID crisis, including containing transmission, structured management, ensuring routine health care, training and capacity building of gram panchayats and self-help groups, relief materials for affected families, livelihood and economic stability and working together in networking and coordination with the gram panchayats and PHCs. Aarogya Raksha Samiti (ARS) focuses on water sanitation and hygiene interventions with COVID- appropriate approach. Collaborative initiatives with ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been an integral part.
