Access to basic services such as healthcare, education, drinking water, and sanitation stands as a fundamental pillar of human development and well-being. These services are not just essential for individual prosperity but also for the overall advancement of societies. In an era marked by technological advancements and global connectivity, ensuring universal access to these services remains a critical challenge. Disparities in access based on geographical location, socioeconomic status, and other factors persist, underscoring the need for concerted efforts to bridge these gaps. Addressing these inequalities not only promotes equity but also fosters economic growth, social stability, and sustainable development. Thus, prioritizing and improving access to basic services is indispensable for building inclusive and resilient communities worldwide.
Health
- The condition of health in some poor urban areas is worst compared to rural areas. There is a huge loss of life due to basic amenities like drinking water, clean air, etc.
- Providing health care services to the growing urban population is a major challenge before the government health care delivery system.
- With the rapid pace of urbanization, industries and transport systems grow rather out of proportion. These developments are primarily responsible for the pollution of the environment, particularly the urban environment.
- For example: Gurugram and Ghaziabad are the most polluted, while Delhi is the worst off among capital cities. ICMR estimates reveal that one in every eight deaths in India is attributable to air pollution, which now contributes to more disease burden than smoking
- Mohalla clinics (Primary Health Centre) – an initiative of Delhi State Government is an aspirational model that provides a basic package of essential health services including medicines, diagnostics, and consultation free of cost. Several ULBs of Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, etc have made concerted efforts to focus on both Health and Nutrition centres. Similar models/ ideas can be systemized with policy focus to encourage them and build on their efforts.
Drinking water
- The supply of water started falling short of demand as the cities grew in size and number.
- Sadly the majority of the cities and towns do not get the recommended quantity of water.
- The gap in demand and supply of water in four metro cities, viz., Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai varies from 10 to 20 percent.
- To meet the growing demand for water, many cities are trying to tap external sources of water supply.
- The safe drinking water sources are also found to be contaminated because the water in the cities is inadequate and, in the future, the expected population cannot be accommodated without a drastic improvement in the availability of water.
- No city has round the clock water supply in India. Intermittent supply results in a vacuum being created in empty water lines which often suck in pollutants through leaking joints. Many small towns have no main water supply at all and are dependent on the wells.
- The 2015-16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) states that over two-thirds of households in every State/UT have access to an improved source of drinking water.
- For example: Mumbai draws water from neighboring areas and from sources located as far as 125 km in the Western Ghats. Chennai uses water express trains to meets its growing demand for water. Bangalore is located on the plateau and draws water from the Cauvery river at a distance of 100 km. Water for Bangalore has to be lifted about 700 meters with help of lifting pumps
- Hyderabad depends on Nagarjuna Sagar located 137 km away.
- Delhi meets a large part of its water requirements from Tajiwala in Haryana.
Sanitation
- The poor sanitation condition is another gloomy feature in urban areas and particularly in slums and unauthorized colonies of urban areas. The drainage system in many unorganized colonies and slums is either not existing and if existing are in a bad shape and in bits resulting in blockage of wastewater.
- These unsanitary conditions lead to many sanitation-related diseases such as diarrhea and malaria.
- Unsafe garbage disposal is one of the critical problems in urban areas and garbage management always remains a major challenge.
- The 2015-16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) states that more than 50% of households have access to improved sanitation facilities in all states/UTs except Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
- Removing garbage, cleaning drains and unclogging sewers are the main jobs of municipalities and municipal corporations in Indian cities. There is a total lack of motivation to tackle the basic sanitation needs of the cities.
- The spread of slums in congested urban areas and lack of civic sense among the settlers in these slums further adds to the growing mound of filth and diseases. Diseases like dengue, malaria, typhoid, flu and respiratory ailments are on the rise in most of the urban centres.
FAQs
1. What are basic health services?
Basic health services encompass primary healthcare, preventive care, and essential medical treatment that are necessary to maintain overall well-being. This includes services such as vaccinations, regular check-ups, access to medications, maternal and child healthcare, and emergency medical care.
2. How can access to education be improved in underserved areas?
Improving access to education in underserved areas involves various strategies, including building more schools and educational facilities, providing transportation options for students, offering scholarships or financial aid to mitigate economic barriers, recruiting and training more teachers, and implementing distance learning programs through technology.
3. Why is access to clean drinking water crucial for communities?
Access to clean drinking water is vital for maintaining public health and preventing waterborne diseases. It promotes proper hydration, reduces the risk of water-related illnesses, ensures sanitation and hygiene, and supports agricultural and economic activities. Moreover, clean water is essential for cooking, bathing, and overall quality of life.
4. What measures can be taken to improve sanitation in rural areas?
Improving sanitation in rural areas involves constructing and maintaining proper sewage systems, promoting hygiene education and practices, providing access to affordable sanitation facilities such as toilets and latrines, implementing waste management programs, and conducting regular monitoring and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure.
5. How can governments ensure equitable access to basic services for all citizens?
Governments can ensure equitable access to basic services by implementing policies and initiatives that prioritize the needs of marginalized and vulnerable populations. This includes allocating sufficient funding for infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and sanitation projects, implementing targeted programs to reach underserved communities, conducting regular assessments to identify gaps in service delivery, and fostering collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. Additionally, ensuring transparency, accountability, and participation in decision-making processes can help address disparities in access to basic services.
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