Sundarbans (WB), Jan 28: In the absence of adequate healthcare system in the vulnerable islands of Sundarbans, around 85 per cent of parents risk lives of their children by going to quacks for treatment, warns a study.
To be released next month, the Sundarbans Health Watch report by the Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Jaipur, and Future Health Systems, maps the vast network of these non-registered rural medical practitioners (RMPs) which dominate the healthcare market in the Sundarbans.
It is estimated that around 5000-7000 quacks operate in the islands serving the 4.5 million population against a total of less than 50 MBBS doctors practicing in the region.
According to the report, parents of 85.3 per cent of ailing children from all socio-economic groups seek out -patient care from RMPs in Patharpratima, one of the most vulnerable blocks in Sundarbans.
“People prefer RMPs because of their physical proximity, least travel time required and cheapest market price (except a few NGOs),” it says.
Islanders are exposed to higher health risks due to remoteness of the place, contaminated drinking water and other geographic and climatic hazards.
The threat of animal bites (tiger or crocodiles) is grave especially among those who frequent the swamps and waterways of the Sundarbans for fishing and collecting forest products like honey and timber. Added to this are the victims of snake bites, dog bites, accident injuries, skin infection and even mental health.
Almost all types of communicable diseases primarily related to respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems are highly prevalent in the Sundarbans.
Sending an alarming note, these quacks often perform minor and major surgeries and also prescribe antibiotics and steroids as they are gradually penetrating to inpatient care market where patients have to be admitted.
Villagers in Sridharnagar gram panchayat recall how 25-year-old Fatima Begum (name changed) was operated upon by a quack for a cesarean surgery in an advanced stage of pregnancy last year. She died along with her baby in the womb leaving behind his three-year-old son.
Prof Barun Kanjilal of IIHMR told PTI that mostly people of remote islands and southern side of Sundarbans are more dependent on quacks due to various factors including trust.
“They market penetration strategy is very unique and unparalleled. People have faith on their skills as they have a high success rate in treating common diseases. RMPs keep themselves updated on latest drugs and some of them are even respected and consulted by qualified doctors,” he says.
Many of these quacks have dubious or unrecognised qualifications while others are just independent medical practitioners working after a stint with other qualified or unqualified practitioners.
Explaining the reasons for visiting quacks for child ailments, the report points out that in the absence of any trained doctors available nearby parents go to RMPs who have clinics nearby and are available at all times and at a low budget.
Kanjilal suggests that to build a proper healthcare delivery system in the Sundarbans, a parallel medical council for RMPs and a community watch group can be built to monitor them.
“Telemedicine has also not been tried here. It will be a good alternative,” he says.
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