Karnataka health policy

[Guest guest]

[Moderators note follows the main text]

Hi,

Karnataka is one of the very few states in India to have its own health policy.

It is an encouraging step, since health is a state subject, and it would be

useful for the states to set their own goals and chart their course of action.

As activists or members of the civil society, we could also use this document to

know of the Government's stated commitements on the health front and to to press

for our demands.

The Karnataka state integrated health policy document (in English) can be

downloaded from the following website http://www.sochara.org

In case you require Kannada copies of the document, you can approach the

Karnataka state health and family welfare department, or write to us (with your

full postal address). We have collected a few extra Kannada copies from the

department.

Regards,

Naveen

Naveen I.

Community Health Cell (CHC)

367, Jakkasandra, I Main, I Block,

Koramangala, Bangalore - 560 034

Karnataka

e-mail: <navthom@...>

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[Moderators note: According to the Indian constitutions, health is a state

issue. It is intersting to note that Karnataka Govt. has identified HIV/AIDS as

a prirority issue. The following the discussion on HIV/AIDS from the policy

document.]

HIV / AIDS: The State will take proactive steps to create public awareness

regarding this rapidly growing problem. Preventive education will be undertaken

among adolescents, workers in the organized sector, women through Sanghas and

women’s organizations.

In particular, such preventive education would include young adults. The general

mass media would be intensively inducted for this purpose.

Specific strategies would include the following:

• District based Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers (VCTC) will

be established in all district hospitals.

• Treatment to reduce mother to child transmission will be introduced.

• Home based care would be encouraged and supported.

• There will be no discrimination in providing treatment facilities in all

public sector hospitals. Private sector institutions will also be advised to be

non-discriminatory.

• Training of staff will be undertaken

• Treatment facilities for Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) and

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) will be expanded, with

conscious efforts to maintain privacy and confidentiality.

• Measures will be enforced to reduce transmission of HIV through

blood transfusion and blood products.

• Strong advocacy and social mobilization efforts will be made at all

levels.

• Surveillance and operational research will inform and guide the

development of the programme.

• NGO and philanthropic organizations will be supported to run care

centers for patients where home care is not possible.

• The state will promote collaboration between the public, private and voluntary

sectors, all concerned departments and with citizens groups in responding to the

problems of HIV / AIDS.

• The control of HIV / AIDS is closely linked to control of sexually

transmitted diseases and Reproductive Tract Infections, Hepatitis B

and C. The overlapping elements in strategies will be made convergent

and all will be operationalized through general health services.

• The State would be sensitive and responsive to problems such as

children with HIV