IMPRI Team
In continuation with the ongoing discussions on the Rural Realities around the country, the Centre for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS), IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi organized a panel discussion on “Rural Realities | Maharashtra Practitioners’ Experiences in Tackling the Second Wave in Indian Villages” on May 13, 2021.
The IMPRI team informed the discussion by locating for the event participants the situation of COVID 19 in India and Maharashtra. The team also provided an insight into the geography and Socio economic conditions of the state. The rationale was to provide the participants with an overview of the state of Maharashtra.
Multi-pronged Issue
Prof Vibhuti Patel, Former Professor, TATA Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai was the moderator of the webinar and she highlighted that rural areas are having more cases and Maharashtra is topping the charts. Inadequate testing facilities, Primary health centers (PHCs)are medically ill equipped, Ayushmaan Bharat scheme has become ineffective as there are less oxygen beds available. Public health care is the need of the hour.
People are facing financial crisis and selling their lands off to avail health services. Oxygen shortage is causing critically ill patients to die on roads. SHGs, ASHAs, Anganwadi stories of valor can be heard all across India for their determination towards work. People to people solidarity can go a long way in tackling this deadly virus. Teachers and police officers are also playing a vital role.
Women are more vulnerable to sexual violence. The term COVID widows is used in Maharashtra, women don’t have land in their names and no ration cards which adds to the problems. Education is a major casualty as Online education is not possible in rural areas. COVID-19 is a multi-pronged Issue as socio-economic issues, food security, Employment and health emergency are at the core of the issue.
Equitable Health System
Dr. Dhananjay Kakade, Head of Institution at Support for Advocacy and Training to Health Initiatives (SATHI), Pune, asserted that COVID-19 will have an immediate mid-term and generational impact. We need to focus on the health system. A long- term view is required. There is Distress at the community level which needs our immediate attention. Many kids are out of school which is going to have a long-term impact on the psychological health of the children. COVID has impacted people in an unequal way. Basics of our Health systems are not at place. Common people have many questions like “Why actors and celebrities are getting beds and not us?” There is Socio-economic influence in the ladder.
We need to have a comprehensive picture to assess the impact. COVID has multi-dimensional impact on people. There is a deep crisis ongoing. Sheer apathy and ignorance from the decision makers and state apparatus to equip the frontline workers to deal with this pandemic as ASHA workers don’t have necessary medical equipment. Scientific based information needs to be generated. Insurance needs to be provided to ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
Traditional fault lines became more prominent in COVID. PSAs are ill equipped. The impact of this pandemic will be much more-worse on the marginalized sections. For some, Pandemic is an opportunity to make profits also as black marketing has been reported of essential medical drugs.
Transparency and accountability mechanisms at the grassroot level needs to be strengthened.
We need an equitable health system. Civil society organizations role in changing the governance structure of the state is crucial. A new vision is required and can Public private partnerships be the future is a question that needs more discussion.
Universal Healthcare
Dr. Arun Gadre, Head, SATHI CEHAT, Pune, pointed that COVID-19 has shattered the middle class. There is a Paradox of equality. It is an opportunity to pitch for Universal health care. Out of pocket expenditure on health has increased. Private sector was absent in the first wave, a big burden on public health system. Lack of resources is a major issue. 80% people getting admitted in private sector. Awareness is very low in rural areas. We have to come together to save lives and be action oriented.
Women Centric Issues
Ms. Lata Bhise, State Secretary, National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Maharashtra, said that Women have the identity as citizens, women and part of the working class. There is political, social, cultural and religious impact of COVID. Ration and unemployment are the main problems in rural areas. Rs.1500 allowance has been given to domestic and construction workers in Maharashtra but the problem is that women only below 60 receive it. There are Long lines in banks. Social security pension disbursement is a major problem. ASHAs have been stigmatized too, no proper treatment of them as many accused them of spreading COVID in rural areas. There are lot of insecurities.
Child marriages are increasing in rural areas as less people are invited due to COVID. Girl’s education and dropouts increasing rapidly. Beedi workers in Maharashtra (Padmashaali Samaaj) is in total unemployment, no provision for them. Micro finance companies too have made SHGs and disburse loans but there is sexual harassment. In COVID wards also, sexual harassment too has been reported. CCTV and responsible officers are now deployed in ICUs. Government dialogue should be promoted. Vaccination of ASHAs is the need of the hour as they can’t go for registration due to many problems.
Humanitarian & Rights-based Approach
Dr. Dhruv Mankad, Managing Trustee of Anusandhan Trust with centers – CEHAT, Pune, highlighted that Migrants issue and subsequent lockdown of villages was the first reaction in the first wave of COVID-19. Community responded correctly as nobody knew the nature of virus. Humanitarian approach and rights- based approach working in tandem. Food security is a major issue. We need to have a micro planning system. Following points need our attention:
- Social Distancing
- Direct responsive coping system
- Secondary level care takers
- Approach of Triaging
We now know what we need to do. People have to be aware. Identification and care at the earlier level. Following measures can be taken:
1. Micro-level Planning
2. Oxygen checking
3. Training ASHAs
Faith building among the masses is very important at this stage. Trust deficit needs to be tackled soon. We have to revive things as there is huge financial crunch. SHGs can a strong platform for preventing domestic violence in rural areas.
Health & Nutrition
Dr. Shailesh Dikhale, Health, and Nutrition Karykarta, Support for Advocacy and Training to Health Initiatives (SATHI) CEHAT, Pune, focused on determinants of health. “Aab Chidiya Chugh gayi kheth” is the proper idiom that depicts the current situation. Delay in testing of COVID-19 is a major issue. Nutrition services is a major issue. Anganwadi centers are closed. Stunting and severely wasted children have increased. We need to be pro-active as it is predicted that children will be most affected in the third wave of COVID-19.
Action Agenda:
- System strengthening through “Help Desk”, basically to provide guidance to patients regarding treatment related to COVID as well as other illnesses, immunization and testing and to create education related to various health schemes. Facilitate dialogue within the community.
- People’s health and nutrition education in the context of COVID. Development of education material in local tribal languages. Use of social media to educate rural and tribal community through Anganwadi, ASHA worker and Poshan Hakka Gat. Education regarding importance of VCDC, CTC and NRC in the current pandemic situation.
- Strengthening health and nutrition services and practices through community participation. Community feedback is important
- Improvement in household nutrition practices and follow up of malnourished children. Follow up of malnourished children is important.
Learnings:
- To ensure treatment of non- COVID patients for non- communicable diseases
- Need to strengthen the government health and nutrition system and services through community participation
- Regulation of private health sector
- To strengthen preventive and curative aspects of health and nutrition
- Keeping in view the third wave of COVID-19, need to develop “COVID Care Centre” for children at block level
- Immunization in campaign mode while ensuring counselling for the same
- Strengthening social services
- Strengthening coordination and convergence b/w various line departments
We need to document experiences during COVID pandemic to use these as a input at policy level.
Learnings
Responding to the question of what crisis situation women farmers are facing? Ms. Lata Bhise said that Farmer suicides are increasing in Maharashtra. Fertilizers, seeds, and credit are not available due to COVID. No sale of eggs and milk due to lockdown. Women’s space has shrunk. Land is registered in the name of males which puts a question mark on women’s identity as farmers, subsequently they are not able to avail the benefits of government schemes. No training available. Separate women dairies should be built. Credit facility needs to be given to women and Implementation of forest act are the demands of women.
Dr. Dhruv responded to the question of the effectiveness of early lockdown by stating that Early lockdown helps in some ways. State is helping us and coordinating in combating this deadly virus. Gaps need to be bridged.
Dr. Arun said that we have to develop a synergy and community involvement which can be really helpful. Government is taking initiatives but good management is the need of the hour.
Dr. Shailesh pointed that Public health system should work in coordination with NGOs.
Prof Vibhuti concluded by asserting that Vaccination infrastructure, lack of beds and reverse migration are the major issues. Civil society organizations should carry a communication drive and create awareness at the rural level. Robust data is needed to come with an action plan. Multi-pronged strategy can go a long way!
