Critically examine existing paradigms of holistic health for the marginalised sections of society drawing inferences from COVID-19 pandemic. (20 Marks) Anthropology Optional Paper CSE 2024
Critically examine existing paradigms of holistic health for the marginalised sections of society drawing inferences from COVID-19 pandemic.
(20 Marks) Anthropology Optional Paper CSE 2024
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed long-standing inequalities in health systems around the world, as it disproportionately impacted vulnerable groups like racial minorities, indigenous people, and economically poor populations. The circumstance demonstrated the need for holistic health approaches, which consider the emotional, social, and environmental facets of well-being in addition to physical health. The inadequacies of conventional healthcare models in addressing the multifaceted needs of marginalized communities give rise to concerns over the efficacy and inclusion of present health systems in promoting fair health outcomes. For more details, visit contribution of P.K. Bhowmick in decriminalising
Main Body
Traditional Paradigms of Holistic Health:
Biomedical Model: Global health’s prevailing paradigm frequently ignores more significant socioeconomic determinants of health such housing, education, and income in favor of concentrating largely on illness prevention and treatment. Preventive care and community-based healthcare, which are essential for vulnerable communities, are not as much emphasized in this approach, which is frequently urban-centric and curative.
Primary Healthcare Model: This strategy, which was supported by the Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978, focuses on accessibility, affordability, and community involvement in order to provide comprehensive healthcare. Although it is still a standard for fair health care, there has been uneven application, especially in rural and tribal communities.
Public Health Interventions: Public health initiatives stress vaccination, sanitation, and nutritional programs, which are crucial for managing communal health needs. However, socioeconomic obstacles, remote location, and cultural differences frequently restrict the effectiveness and accessibility of these interventions in underprivileged populations.
Challenges Faced by Marginalized Communities During COVID-19:
Limited Access to Healthcare: During the pandemic, marginalized groups often faced restricted access to healthcare facilities due to geographical isolation, overcrowding in urban slums, and overwhelmed healthcare systems. For example, many tribal communities in India struggled to access COVID-19 testing and vaccination services.
Digital Divide: The global shift to telemedicine and online healthcare consultations excluded those without access to digital technologies, including many economically disadvantaged groups. This further widened the gap in accessing essential healthcare services.
Economic and Food Insecurity: COVID-19 exacerbated the economic vulnerabilities of marginalized sections, leading to job losses and food insecurity. This had direct consequences on their health, as nutrition and access to basic services deteriorated, compounding the health crisis.
Mental Health Neglect: The mental health impact of the pandemic, including increased anxiety, depression, and stress, disproportionately affected marginalized communities. However, these groups often had limited access to mental health services, which remain under-resourced in most health systems.
Critical Examination of Holistic Health Paradigms:
Inadequacy of the Biomedical Model: While the biomedical model effectively addressed the clinical management of COVID-19, it largely failed to address the broader social determinants of health in marginalized populations. The focus on hospital-based treatment often ignored the preventive, community-based approaches that could have mitigated the virus’s spread in vulnerable communities.
Primary Healthcare Model Shortcomings: While theoretically promising, the primary healthcare model faced implementation gaps in many marginalized areas. Poor infrastructure, lack of trained healthcare workers, and limited community engagement were evident during the pandemic, hindering the delivery of comprehensive care.
Cultural Disconnect: Many healthcare interventions failed to account for the cultural beliefs and practices of marginalized groups. For example, vaccine hesitancy in some tribal and rural populations was driven by a lack of culturally sensitive health education and communication.
Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic:
Strengthening Community Health: The pandemic demonstrated the importance of community health workers and local healthcare networks in reaching marginalized populations. Successful models, such as ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) in India, proved vital in delivering health services in remote and underserved areas.
Integrated Health Systems: A shift towards more integrated health systems that combine biomedical, traditional, and mental health approaches is necessary. Holistic health paradigms should include nutrition support, mental health services, and social welfare programs to address the multi-dimensional health needs of marginalized communities.
Emphasis on Preventive Healthcare: The pandemic underscored the need for preventive healthcare measures, such as improved sanitation, clean water access, and vaccination programs, particularly in economically disadvantaged and tribal areas.
Mental Health Focus: COVID-19 highlighted the need for better integration of mental health services into primary healthcare, especially for marginalized populations who face compounded stress due to socio-economic vulnerabilities.
Proposed Improvements in Holistic Health Approaches:
Equitable Resource Distribution: Healthcare systems must ensure equitable distribution of resources, including vaccines, medical equipment, and health personnel, with priority to marginalized groups.
Culturally Appropriate Healthcare: In marginalized areas, integrating indigenous knowledge and cultural practices into healthcare delivery can increase trust and enhance results. Language and cultural sensitivity should also be considered when developing health communication tactics.
Strengthening Social Determinants of Health: For marginalized communities to be holistically well-off, it is imperative that the larger determinants of health—such as housing, income stability, education, and access to food—be addressed. It is essential to use a multi-sectoral strategy that combines social and economic policies with health-related ones.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic brings to light the weaknesses and inadequacies in the prevailing paradigms of health care, especially with regard to satisfying the needs of marginalized communities. In the future, holistic health models must be created to make sure underprivileged groups are not ignored by healthcare systems. These models need to take into account the physical, mental, social, and environmental aspects of health. To address the socioeconomic determinants of health and encourage preventative care, health systems must include equitable, culturally aware, and community-driven activities. These advancements are necessary to build a future healthcare system that is inclusive and robust.
