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Significance of Health Infrastructure
Dr. Radhika Kapur
Abstract
Health infrastructure is an important guide for promoting health care policy and
welfare mechanism within the country. It puts emphasis upon making provision of health care
facilities throughout the country. Infrastructure has been described as the basic provision for
the delivery of public health activities in a productive and meaningful manner. The five
components of health infrastructure are, skilled workforce, integrated electronic information
systems, public health organizations, resources and research. When the individuals are paying
attention towards the development of health infrastructure, the need to focus upon the
development of these aspects as well. One of the important factors is, in medical and health
care centres, the problems and deficits need to be identified. When these are identified,
measures need to be formulated to bring about improvements. Furthermore, there is a need to
make use of modern, scientific and innovative methods in bringing about developments in
health infrastructure. Developments in health infrastructure will render a significant
contribution in promoting health and well-being of all individuals, irrespective of age groups,
communities, categories and backgrounds. The main areas that need to be taken into account
in this research paper are, meaning and significance of health infrastructure, understanding
functions of health infrastructure and areas of health infrastructure where improvements need
to take place.
Keywords: Health Infrastructure, Health Care Policy, Hospitals, Physical Health,
Psychological Health, Public Health Organizations
Health infrastructure is an important indicator for promoting health care policy and
welfare mechanism within the country. It puts emphasis upon making provision of health care
facilities throughout the country. India is a country, where individuals are effected by the
societal problems of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, homelessness and crime and violence.
These have an effect upon their physical and psychological health conditions. Hence, it is of
utmost significance for the individuals to bring about improvements in health infrastructure.
Infrastructure has been described as the basic support for the delivery of public health
activities. The five components of health infrastructure are, skilled workforce, integrated
electronic information systems, public health organizations, resources and research (Kumar &
Gupta, 2012). The individuals, who are employed in medical and health care centres need to
possess the essential educational qualifications, competencies and abilities. In addition, they
need to be well-aware in terms of their job duties. Secondly, the individuals need to be well-
equipped with the usage of technologies. They need to make use of technologies in the
implementation of their job duties.
Public health organizations need to be established throughout the country. These
organizations are regarded as crucial in bringing about developments in health infrastructure.
It is apparent that in order to carry out one’s job duties in an efficacious manner to achieve
desired goals and objectives, the individuals need to possess efficient resources. The types of
resources are human, financial, technical and material. As it has been stated above, the human
resources need to possess the essential skills and abilities. In addition, there should be
sufficient financial, technical and material resources. The individuals in this field need to
conduct research on regular basis. Conducting research on regular basis will enable the
individuals to generate information in terms of modern and pioneering methods and
approaches, which would contribute productively in the implementation of job duties in a
well-organized manner. The primary objective of health infrastructural facilities is to focus
upon the material capacity building in the arena of public health delivery mechanisms
(Kumar & Gupta, 2012).
Meaning and Significance of Health Infrastructure
Health infrastructure is regarded to be of utmost significance as it not only makes
provision of resources, materials and facilities to the individuals, which are necessary in
promoting good health and well-being, but it also provides to the communities, states and
nation the capacity to prevent diseases, promote good health and well-being and prepare to
respond to emergencies, chronic diseases, severe health problems and illnesses and
challenges to health. Health infrastructure is regarded as the foundation for planning,
delivering, evaluating and bringing about improvements in public health. The provision of
public health services is dependent upon the presence of basic infrastructural facilities (Public
Health Infrastructure, 2020). The measures, which the individuals need to practice to promote
good health and well-being can be facilitated through the provision of health infrastructure.
For instance, when a person gets admitted in the hospital for the health problem that he has
been experiencing and recovers well, then the person will understand that the medical
facilities are effectual and the health infrastructure has been developed in such a manner that
individuals are able to recuperate well. Therefore, the meaning and significance of health
infrastructure is recognized, when the individuals are able to recuperate well.
The changes taking place in the health system and other factors, which are stimulating
new parts and contributions for the public health agencies, an increasing emphasis on the
integration of public health and primary care, an in depth examination of the financing
options for foundational and core services and formulation of new measures and approaches
in an efficient and prolific manner (Public Health Infrastructure, 2020). In order to facilitate
these factors in an effectual manner and bring about transformations, there is a need to
exchange ideas and viewpoints and work in collaboration and integration. Furthermore, the
individuals need to conduct research in terms of the areas, which need to be improved. In
medical and health centres, particularly in rural communities, there are certain factors, which
need to be improved. Hence, when there are formulation of measure and approaches, which
are focused upon in identifying the limitations and bringing about improvements, then
developments will take place in health infrastructure. Developments in health infrastructure
will enable the individuals to recognize its meaning and significance.
Understanding Functions of Health Infrastructure
Health infrastructure in rural and urban India provides communities, regions and
states and overall nation, the capacity to prevent diseases and promote health and well-being.
In addition, in the case of severe health problems and illnesses, the health infrastructure
should prove to be worthwhile and meaningful. In rural and urban areas, there are four
models of health infrastructure, workforce, information, data systems and public health
laboratories. In addition, it should be understood how these models are rendering a significant
contribution in bringing about improvements in health infrastructure. With advancements
taking place and with the advent of modernization and globalization, there is a need to make
use of modern, scientific and innovative methods in health infrastructure. The components of
health infrastructure are critical to preparedness and response activities. Furthermore, the
facilities in health care are classified into primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
In rural communities, the health infrastructure is not in a well-developed stated, the
human resources are not making use of modern, scientific and innovative methods (Chapter 2
Rural Health Care in India, n.d.). When the individuals experience any health problems and
illnesses, they either make use of traditional methods or they migrate to urban communities.
In accordance to the research studies, one of the major disadvantages is, the health care
centres are located at a distance and individuals need to travel to distance places. The rural
individuals are usually determined and hardworking. In most cases, they are engaged in
manual jobs to earn their living. But it is unfortunate that the conditions of poverty and
backwardness are prevalent among them and they experience lack of resources. On the other
hand, in urban communities, the individuals have brought about improvements in health
infrastructure and these have proven to be advantageous to the individuals to a major extent.
The functions of health infrastructure have been stated as follows:
Monitor Health Status to Identify and Solve Community Health Problems –
Monitoring of health status to identify and provide solutions to community health problems is
an important function of health infrastructure. Within communities, the health care specialists
conduct research in terms of health of the individuals. One of the important aspects that needs
to be taken into account is, it is to be identified, whether the individuals are well-aware in
terms of measures and approaches, which are regarded as crucial in promoting good health
and well-being. Hence, monitoring of health status is regarded as one of the crucial functions.
After the health status has been monitored, information is imparted to the individuals and
measures are formulated to provide solutions to community health problems. Therefore, it
can be stated, the function of monitoring health status to identify and solve community health
problems is an important function of health infrastructure.
Diagnose and Investigate Health Problems and Health Hazards within the
Community – Diagnosing and investigating health problems and health hazards within the
community is an important function of health infrastructure. Normally in communities, where
the individuals are residing in the conditions of poverty and belong to deprived, marginalized
and socio-economically backward sections of the society, the individuals are unaware in
terms of measures and strategies, which are necessary in promoting good health and well-
being. Hence, through health infrastructure, the individuals are imparted information in terms
of prevalence of various health problems and health hazards within the community. When
they generate awareness in terms of these, they are able to promote good health and well-
being. Therefore, it can be stated, the function of diagnosing and investigating health
problems and health hazards within the community is an indispensable function of health
infrastructure.
Inform, Educate and Empower Individuals in terms of Health Issues – The
individuals, primarily belonging to deprived communities and economically weaker sections
of the society are the ones, who need to be informed, educated and empowered. The functions
of informing, educating and empowering individuals are focused upon number of areas,
which convey information in terms of ways of promoting good health and well-being. There
are number of factors, which impose detrimental effects upon the health conditions of the
individuals. Hence, they need to be cautious in terms of them. The first and foremost aspect
is, the individuals need to maintain cleanliness within as well as outside the homes. Apart
from cleanliness, there are other factors as well, which need to be taken into consideration.
These include, diet and nutrition, medical check-ups, managing psychological problems and
so forth. Therefore, it is understood that the function of informing, educating and
empowering individuals in terms of health issues is an important function of health
infrastructure.
Generate Awareness among the Individuals in terms of Preventive Measures – To
prevent the occurrence of disease and illnesses, there are number of preventive measures,
which need to be taken into consideration. For instance, if the individuals are allergic to
certain food items, they need to avoid those items, when the individuals experience pain in
the joints or other health problems by getting engaged in some tasks, they should avoid
getting engaged in those tasks. Such as, in old age, the individuals may experience visual
problems in reading or watching television. Hence, they need to avoid getting engaged in
such tasks or activities. Through health infrastructure, the individuals are imparted
information in terms of various types of preventive measures in the implementation of
various tasks within as well as outside the homes. Therefore, it can be stated, generating
awareness among the individuals in terms of preventive measures is a crucial function of
health infrastructure.
Mobilise Community Partnerships and Actions to Identify and Solve Health Problems
– Health infrastructure renders a significant contribution in mobilising community
partnerships and actions to identify and solve health problems. This signifies that within the
communities, partnerships need to be created and actions need to be put into operation to
identify the health problems that are prevalent and putting into operation the measures and
approaches to solve them. For instance, in some communities, there has been an increase in
the mortality rate particularly among women and children due to malnutrition. Hence, in
these communities, partnerships and actions need to be reinforced to make provision of
healthy and nutritious food items to the individuals to provide solution and eliminate the
problem of malnutrition. Therefore, it can be stated, mobilising community partnerships and
actions to identify and solve health problems is a vital function of health infrastructure.
Prevent Epidemics and Spread of Diseases – Prevention of epidemics and spread of
diseases is regarded as one of the functions, which is of utmost significance of health
infrastructure. In accordance to the research studies, there are some diseases, which are
contagious and spread rapidly. In such cases, one of the important measures, which need to be
put into operation by the individuals is social distancing. Apart from social distancing, there
are other preventive measures as well, in terms of which the individuals need to generate
awareness on regular basis. These include, maintaining cleanliness, wearing clean clothes,
washing hands for about 20 seconds, not touching one’s face and when one goes out of their
homes and return back, they need to wash their hands. Therefore, these are some of the ways
to prevent epidemics and spread of diseases, which are imparted by health infrastructure.
Protection against Environmental Hazards – In urban as well as in rural communities,
the individuals experience health problems and illnesses, due to environmental hazards. The
various types of environmental hazards are, earthquakes, droughts, floods and so forth.
Hence, one of the important functions of health infrastructure is to make provision of
information to the individuals to protect themselves against environmental hazards. One of
the common ways to protect against environmental hazards is having a shelter. In urban
communities, normally the individuals have homes in which they have made use of materials,
which would protect them against environmental hazards. Whereas, in rural communities, the
individuals are residing in homes, which are not robust. These are known as kuccha homes.
Hence, when there are occurrence of environmental hazards, they experience unfavourable
effects. Therefore, health infrastructure provides information to the individuals to protect
themselves against environmental hazards.
Encouragement of Health Behaviours and Prevention of Injuries – Encouragement of
health behaviours and prevention of injuries is one of the indispensable functions of health
infrastructure. The individuals, belonging to all communities need to be well-aware in terms
of measures, which are necessary to promote health behaviours and prevent injuries. In
promoting health behaviours, the important factors, which need to be taken into account are,
diet and nutrition, physical activities and exercise, positive thinking, medical check-ups,
forming pleasant environmental conditions within as well as outside the homes and
establishing cordial terms and relationships with others. Whereas, in the case of prevention of
diseases, the individuals need to be well-aware in terms of implementation of job duties, they
need to take precautions and make use of proper tools, materials and equipment and carry out
their job duties carefully. Therefore, health infrastructure provides information in terms of
encouragement of health behaviours and prevention of injuries.
Promoting Health Services Administration – Another important function of health
infrastructure is promoting health services administration. In promotion of health services
administration in an effective manner, there are various functions, which need to be carried
out by health care professionals. These are the functions of planning, organizing, directing,
co-ordinating, leading and controlling. In the prolific implementation of these functions, the
individuals need to possess adequate knowledge and be well-aware in terms of different types
of methods and approaches. When the function of health services administration will be put
into operation in an appropriate manner, the individuals, belonging to all categories and
backgrounds will be able to augment their understanding in terms of various methods and
approaches and access better health care facilities. Therefore, it is understood that promoting
health services administration is a vital function of health infrastructure (What is a Health and
Medical Administration? 2020).
Promoting the Functions of Counselling and Guidance – Counselling and guidance
are the functions in which the medical practitioners and health care specialists impart
information to the individuals in a verbal manner in case of treating their health problems and
illnesses. The counsellors listen to the problems of the patients and conduct an analysis. After
conducting an analysis, they communicate with the patients and provide them solutions.
When the solutions are simple and straightforward, they can be easily put into operation. On
the other hand, when the solutions are complicated, then support and help is provided by the
counsellors. In the cases of various types of psychological problems of anger, stress, anxiety,
depression and trauma, counselling and guidance is more prevalent. Whereas, in the case of
physical health problems as well, these are predominant. Therefore, it can be stated, health
infrastructure contributes in promoting the functions of counselling and guidance.
Areas of Health Infrastructure where Improvements need to take
Place
The areas of health infrastructure where improvements need to take place are,
insufficiency of beds in hospitals, low number of health centres, insufficient number of blood
banks, need for the establishment of more medical colleges, concentration of health care in
metro-cities and non-availability of urgently needed vaccines. There is a need to focus upon
these areas in not only rural communities but throughout the country in urban communities as
well. When the individuals are in need of health infrastructure and medical facilities, it is
apparent that they are experiencing health problems and illnesses. Hence, in order to make
provision of health care and medical treatment, it is of utmost significance to bring about
improvements in health infrastructure. The areas health infrastructure where improvements
need to take place are stated as follows: (Kumar & Gupta, 2012).
Insufficiency of Beds in Hospitals
In India, there are 12,760 hospitals having 576,793 beds. Out of these 6,795 hospitals
are in rural areas, having 149,690 beds and 3,748 hospitals are in urban areas, having 399,195
beds. The average population served per Government hospital is 90,972 and the average
population served per Government hospital bed is 2,012. These figures are low in the states
of Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand. In these states, there is only one bed for every 39,114,163
and 5,494 persons respectively. The insufficiency of beds in the hospitals is an impediment
within the course of bringing about improvements in health infrastructure. Hence, there is a
need to pay attention upon making provision of sufficient beds in the hospitals. In this
manner, the individuals will be able to have access to health care facilities in a better way.
Apart from making provision of beds, there is a need to put emphasis upon other factors as
well. These include, medical facilities, resources and other materials, which would be
assisting and beneficial to the patients in recovering. Therefore, it can be stated, when
adequate attention will be paid upon making provision of beds and other aspects, then it will
be beneficial to the patients and help them in recovering well.
Low Number of Health Centres
The health centres are low in number. There are, 1,45,894 sub-centres, 23,391
Primary Health Centres and 4,510 Community Health Centres within the country. Though
these figures were stated in March 2009. In March 2009, there were inadequate number of
health centres within the country. These figures were regarded as inadequate, taking into
account the mode of 2005 National Commission in Macroeconomics and Health, which
recommended a sub-centre for every 5000 population, a Primary Health Centre for every
30,000 population and a Community Health Centre for every 1,00,000 population. There is a
need to establish health centres throughout the country, especially in rural communities. In
accordance to the research studies, the rural individuals normally are unaware of modern and
innovative methods in terms of health care. They are usually putting into operation traditional
methods. Hence, when there will be development of sufficient number of health centres in
rural communities, they will be well-equipped in terms of utilization of modern and
innovative methods. Therefore, it can be stated, to promote good health and well-being, there
is a need to establish health centres and put into operation modern, scientific and pioneering
methods in making provision of medical and health care treatment to the individuals.
Insufficient Number of Blood Banks
Within the country, the total number of licensed blood banks are 2,445. This figure
was calculated in January 2011. The states in north east India are low on the availability of
blood banks accept the state of Assam. Whereas, the remaining six states have 43 licensed
blood banks. The insufficient number of bloods banks is regarded as one of the major
problems within the course of maintenance of good health and well-being. When the
individuals are suffering from a severe health problem or an illness, and need blood, and they
experience scarcity of blood, then they experience number of barriers in recovering and in
some cases, it has even proven to be fatal. Hence, it is indispensable to make provision of
sufficient number of blood banks. In the north east part of the country, where there is
insufficiency in the number of blood banks, there is a need to formulate measures to make
provision of sufficient number of blood banks. Having sufficient number of blood banks will
render a significant contribution in leading to recovery in a suitable manner. Therefore,
sufficient number of blood banks is advantageous to the individuals in promoting good health
and bringing about improvements in health infrastructure.
Need for the Establishment of more Medical Colleges
In order to bring about improvements in health infrastructure and health care facilities
within the country, the individuals, who are employed in this field need to be well-aware in
terms of various methods, approaches and strategies. Furthermore, they need to make use of
modern, technical, scientific and pioneering methods within the course of performance of
their job duties. Hence, to augment their understanding in terms of these methods and
approaches, there is a need for the establishment of more medical colleges. Within the
country, there are 314 medical colleges regarding medical education infrastructures. The
colleges for Bachelor of Dental Surgery account for 289 and 140 colleges conduct courses for
the Master of Dental Surgery. The total admission in these courses are 21,547 and 2,783
respectively during 2010-2011. It is comprehensively understood that the individuals
employed in medical and health centres need to make use of innovative methods, but what is
important to understand is, when establishment of more medical colleges is taking place,
there is a need to put into operation the teaching-learning methods and instructional strategies
in an efficacious and well-organised manner. Therefore, it can be stated, need for the
establishment of more medical colleges is important in bringing about improvements in
health infrastructure.
Concentration of Health Care in Metro-cities
The concentration of health care in metro-cities is regarded as one of the
indispensable areas of bringing about improvements in health infrastructure. Central
Government Health Scheme (CGHS) has health facilities in 24 cities having 246 Allopath
dispensaries and total 438 dispensaries with 8,47,081 registered cards and families. This
scheme shows wide dispensaries as majority of these facilities are concentrated in four metro-
cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. In the four metro-cities, there are almost two-
thirds of the facilities. In accordance to the research studies, the individuals are concentrated
in these cities on a large scale. It is apparent, the cities, which are densely populated, in those
cities, there is a need to bring about improvements in health infrastructure. In metro-cities as
well, there are individuals, who are residing in the condition of poverty and are struggling to
make ends meet. There is a need to put emphasis upon the factors, which lead to
improvements in the health conditions and well-being of these individuals. Therefore, it can
be stated, there is a need to formulate measures to concentrate health care and bring about
improvements in health infrastructure. Though improvements in health infrastructure is
advantageous to all individuals, irrespective of their categories and backgrounds.
Non-availability of urgently needed Vaccines
Within the country, the availability of vaccines needs to be improved. The non-
availability of urgently needed vaccines have had detrimental effects upon the health of the
individuals. When it has been researched upon that the vaccines, which are urgently needed
are not available, then it is understandable that individuals experience problems in
recuperating. Vaccination is one of the effective ways to prevent diseases. A vaccine helps the
body system to recognize and fight pathogens, such as, viruses and bacteria. In this manner,
one is safe from the diseases that they cause. Vaccines help the individuals to protect against
various diseases, such as, measles, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis, influenza, tetanus,
and typhoid. Currently, the individuals, belonging to rural and urban communities are aware
of vaccines and get their children vaccinated on time. However, there are 20 million
individuals throughout the world, who still do not get their vaccines. Hence, in this manner,
the individuals are at the risk of serious diseases, ill health conditions, disability and death
(Vaccines, 2020). Therefore, to bring about improvements in health infrastructure, there is a
need to promote the availability of urgently needed vaccines in rural and urban areas. As
these are regarded as efficacious and useful in promoting good health and well-being.
Conclusion
Health infrastructure is an important concept that is dedicated towards promoting
health care policy and wellbeing throughout the country. It puts emphasis upon making
provision of health care facilities in all regions of the country. The functions of health
infrastructure are, monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems,
diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards within the community, inform,
educate and empower individuals in terms of health issues, generate awareness among the
individuals in terms of preventive measures, mobilise community partnerships and actions to
identify and solve health problems, prevent epidemics and spread of diseases, protection
against environmental hazards, encouragement of health behaviours and prevention of
injuries, promoting health services administration and promoting the functions of counselling
and guidance. The areas of health infrastructure where improvements need to take place are,
insufficiency of beds in hospitals, low number of health centres, insufficient number of blood
banks, need for the establishment of more medical colleges, concentration of health care in
metro-cities and non-availability of urgently needed vaccines. Finally, it can be stated, when
developments will take place in the field of health infrastructure throughout the country, the
individuals will be able to access better health care facilities.
Bibliography
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