This document provides information on tribal health in India. It begins with definitions of scheduled tribes and their key features such as geographical isolation, distinct culture, and economic/social backwardness. It then discusses the current state of tribal affairs, noting that India has a large tribal population concentrated in certain regions. It also describes tribal health culture and the traditional health systems utilized. The document outlines several multi-factorial challenges to tribal health, including high poverty/illiteracy, lack of job opportunities, poor health status/infrastructure, and malnutrition. It provides details on common health problems among tribes like alcoholism, waterborne diseases, and genetic disorders. Finally, it describes the Tribal Health Initiative model for healthcare delivery in tribal areas based around

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SMCH/HCDS/26: Tribal Health
Quadrant-I
Personal Details
Role Name Affiliation
Principal Investigator Prof. CP Mishra Department of Community Medicine,
Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi
Paper Coordinator Prof. Najam Khalique Department of Community Medicine,
J N Medical College, AMU, Aligarh
Content Writer Dr. Tabassum Nawab Department of Community Medicine,
J N Medical College, AMU, Aligarh
Content Reviewer Dr. Anees Ahmad
Department of Community Medicine,
J N Medical College, AMU, Aligarh
Description of Module
Description of Module
Subject name Social Medicine & Community Health
Paper name Health Care Delivery System
Module name/Title Tribal Health
Module Id SMCH/HCDS/26
Pre-requisites Understanding of tribal community and their special features.
Objectives To know challenges and health problems of tribals as well as tribal health initiatives.
Keywords Janshala Programme, Integral Tribal health Initiative Model, Tribal Health Culture.

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Introduction:
Inclusive development of a country is often spoken about with, food security, safe housing and sanitation
being the rights of every citizen. These essentials of living are found to be intimately linked to health. A
India’s tribal communities’ health is in need of special attention. Tribals being the most marginalized and
poorest groups in our country, experience severe healthcare deprivation and as a result they lag behind the
national average on several vital public health indicators, with women and children bearing worst of the
brunt. A multitude of factors such as geographic isolation, low economic status, different societal attitudes
and traditional beliefs, and provider inadequacy have led to tribal populations throughout India often being
denied access to health services. Studies have now confirmed that there were gaping disparities in the health
status of tribal populations as compared to metropolitan areas. Genetic abnormalities and sexually
transmitted diseases are very common in the tribal population. The prevalence of the sickle cell gene has
been calculated to be over 20%, with 5 million individuals estimated as carriers. Glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is present in about 15 million tribals residing in high-incidence malaria
zones in the states of Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu [1]. Researches have
also revealed that the sociocultural adaptation and the practice of inbreeding within the tribes highly
influence the genetic structure of these populations. Major nutritional deficiencias in gross amounts of
calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin and animal protein have been detected in these populations.
Malnutrition and gastrointestinal disorders are also found to be common among them. Furthermore, certain
tribal groups (like the Onges, Jarawas and Shompens of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) are facing
extinction due to endemic diseases, venereal diseases and an unusually low sex ratio.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion this module, the reader should be able to
• Define and list the features of scheduled tribes
• Describe the prevailing state of tribal affairs in India and their health culture.
• Demonstrate ability to understand the multifactorial challenges and health problems of the tribals.
• Mention the Tribal health initiative model critically.
• Demonstrate the ability to understand the role of welfare schemes in the upliftment of tribal population.
• Identify limitations in tribal health research.
• Pinpoint dilemma in the role of NGOs in tribal development.
Main Text
1. Definition and features of scheduled tribes:
According to Article 342 of the Constitution, the Scheduled Tribes are- the tribes or tribal communities or
part of or groups within these tribes and tribal communities which have been declared as such by the
President through a public notification [2].
Features of scheduled tribes: (Defined by Lokur Committee)
• Primitive Traits
• Geographical isolation
• Distinct culture
• Shy of contact with community at large
• Social and economic backwardness
• Pre-agrarian level of technology
• Stagnant or declining population
• Extremely low literacy

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• Subsistence level of economy.
2. Prevailing state of tribal affairs:
It is quite fascinating that about a half of the indigenous people of the world, live in India as per 20011
census. This constitutes 8.2% of the total population of India. About 635 tribal groups and subgroups
including 75 primitive communities, have been designated as ‘primitive’ based on pre-agricultural level of
technology, low level of literacy, stagnant or diminishing population size, relative isolation from the main
stream of population, economical and educational backwardness, extreme poverty, dwelling in remote
inaccessible hilly terrains, maintenance of constant touch with the natural environment, and unaffected by
the developmental process undergoing in India. It has now been concluded that these tribes descended from
aboriginal population in India. India is only second to Africa in terms of tribal population. Maximum tribal
mass is concentrated in North East India (highest in Mizoram: 94%) followed by Central India (highest in
Chattisgarh: 31%) and lowest proportion in South India. [3]
TRIBE DISTRIBUTION IN INDIA
Figure1: Tribe population in India (figures to the nearest percentage)*
(Adapted from: Government of India. Ministry of tribal Affairs. Available from:
(http://tribal.nic.in)
2.1. Tribal health culture:
Most of the tribal communities in India are forest dwellers. The health system and medical knowledge
practiced by these tribes, known as ‘Traditional Health Care System’, combines both the herbal and the
psychosomatic lines of treatment. Naturally available substances and plants, flowers, seeds, animals formed
the major basis of their treatment. This practice always had a touch of magic mysticism and supernatural
beliefs [4]. The traditional treatment in the Tribal Health Care System is always related to Faith healing,
which in the modern treatment procedure can be equated with rapport or confidence building. An interplay of

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complex social, cultural, educational, economic and political practices have consistently influenced the
health problems and practices of these tribal communities. The treatment of diseases have been closely
associated with the common beliefs, customs, traditions, values and practices connected with health. So it
can be said that in most of tribal communities, there is a great wealth of folklore associated with health
beliefs. There is a consensus that health culture of a community does not change easily with changes in the
access to health services, hence, it is now required to change the health services to conform to health culture
of tribal communities for optimal utilization of health services. Studies by anthropologists indicate that even
though the health consumer has now access to western medicine, traditional medicines do exist and persist.
Traditional tribal medicine and healing systems need to be scientifically studied and are to be combined with
modern allopathic system, so as to make it available and affordable for the underprivileged tribal population.
Proper health and balanced nutrition are, therefore, considered as some of the prime requirements for
application of biotechnology in improving the quality of life of rural poor. Sufficient knowledge about the
culture, environment, natural and human resources, skill endowments and the belief systems of these set of
people is promptly required. This approach is best suited to study the behaviour of the people in health and
disease, encompassing the cultural and environmental aspects of the concerned tribal population and is
envisaged to uplift the health and nutritional status of human rural poor using emerging applied tools.
3. Multi-factorial challenges in the field of tribal health:
3.1. Socio-demographics and economic status
• High poverty and below poverty levels.
• High levels of illiteracy and low levels of income.
• Only a small percentage in some tribes have incomes above Rs. 10,000 per month ($200/month).
• Food insecurity.
• Lack of empowerment.
• Harassment and exploitation of tribal women.
• Generalized lack of basic infrastructure and civic amenities.
• Poor standard of living.
• Tribes are becoming fewer in their number and races due to maladjustment after forcible resettlement [5].
3.2. Education
• Lack of basic education facilities.
• High rate of school drop out. Similar rates (~50%) of drop outs in both genders.
• Schools shut down if very few students.
• Lack of suitable teachers.
• Rigid curriculum and formal education fails in tribal context.
• Medium of instruction in English is difficult to follow for the students.
• Accessibility.
• Timing of school.
• Not taking into account the environment and situation of child’s family to motivate them for education.
• Lack of support and motivation to pursue higher education.
• No awareness on scholarships
3.3.. Job opportunities
• High levels of unemployment.
• Lack of support for resettlement and rehabilitation.
• Lack of mainstreaming their skills in arts and crafts as a source of income.
• Dishonest and unethical marketing practices
3.4. . Health status
• High level of consanguineous marriages leading to defects in the race and hereditary diseases.

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• High prevalence of sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases [6].
• High fertility rates, low institutional delivery rates.
• Higher maternal mortality and infant mortality compared to national average.
• Inadequate immunization status.
• High prevalence on malnutrition- stunting and underweight- especially among preschool children.
• Communicable and Tropical diseases like malaria, and parasitic diseases widespread.
• Increasing burden of non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus.
• Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a looming threat to forest tribes with occasional deaths.
• Health care facilities absent or lacking in terms of infrastructure, personnel, finance, accessibility and
availability.
• Poor hygiene and sanitation.
• Lack of emphasis on mainstreaming their traditional systems of medicine.
• Poor health seeking behaviour
3.5.. Technology.
• Digital divide between other sections and tribal areas glaringly visible.
• Majority of the tribes use basic mobile phones.
• Low level of technological literacy.
• Remoteness and isolation of the tribes could be a possible factor
3.6. Migration and retention
• Increasing levels of out migration seen for want of employment opportunities.
• Where agriculture is not possible due to inherent water and land problems, outmigration is for daily wages
like construction and labour work, hotel industry, house maids or small business.
3.7. Health problems of the tribals:
The specific health problems of the tribal peoples can be summarized as follows:
3.7.1. Alcoholism:
Alcoholism and other psychic and socio–cultural ramifications of alcoholism constitute the major problem
among the tribal peoples. The traditional brewing of alcohol from rice, millets, ‘mohua’ flower and fruits had
been practiced. The traditional tribal society was thought to be free from crime, however with increase in the
availability of cheap intoxicating drinks, invasion made by the electronic media into the villages, migration
of the tribal people to non tribal areas for work and the treatment they receive from the non tribal people are
sure to increase the crime rate. Blood borne. Because of the common social practice of tattooing, diseases
like Hepatitis B virus infection is likely to be high in the tribal population. This together with alcoholism
may result in increased number of chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis of liver cases.
3.7.2. Problems of drinking water and water borne diseases:
As most of the tribes reside on hilly areas, the water in these areas flows down very fast during the rainy
season, leading to water scarcity during the hot seasons. So rampening the spread of water borne disease like
helminthiasis, amoebiasis, and giardiasis and diarrhea diseases in the tribal population.
3.7.3. Malaria:
A number of tribal areas still continued to harbor malaria, even during the peak of malaria eradication
campaign in India, primarily because of inaccessibility and lack of community participation. The behaviors
of vectors are also different and hence require different strategies for control in some areas.
3.7.4. Genetic disorders:
Genetically transmitted disorders like sickle cell anemia and Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenises
deficiency are common in the tribal populations in the country and are also found to be associated with
malaria endemicity. High prevalence of these conditions show that the tribal populations have been

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associated with malaria for a long time. Different forms of thalassaemia and also common in the tribal
people. All these conditions add to the overall anemia situation in the tribal peoples. However, the extent and
the prevalence of different genetic disorders in this area is yet to be explored [7].
3.7.5. The Traditions:
The tribal people have been traditionally permissive in sexual matters. Yaws has been quite common earlier
and in recent times interaction with the non–tribal population may increase the sexually transmitted disease
load among the tribal population. It is important to understand the situation immediately, particularly with
reference to HIV and RTI.
3.8. Malnutrition:
This is a major factor influencing morbidity and mortality among the tribal peoples. Because of the poor
agricultural practices among the tribes, food is always scarce. As they are not engaged in any other income
generating activity (gathering of forest products gives them very little income) they are under severe
exploitation by labor contractors. Not only is protein calorie malnutrition common, deficiency of
micronutrients like iron, is also very common. However, iodine deficiency leading to goiter is not seen in
this area.
The nutritional status of various Scheduled Tribes varies from tribe to tribe, depending upon the social,
economic, cultural and ecological background. Though, no systematic and comprehensive research
investigations have been carried out, it appears that malnutrition amongst the tribe, especially tribal children
and women is fairly common, debilitating their physical condition, lowering resistance to disease, and in the
post weaning period, leading, at times even to permanent brain impairment. To quote the Ninth Plan
Working Group on the Tribal Development, `Experts have opined that not a single tribe in the different
States of India can said to be having a satisfactory dietary pattern as Tribal diets are frequently deficient in
calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, Riboflavin and animal protein'. Further, high incidence of malnutrition is
observed especially among primitive tribal groups in Phulbani, Koraput and Sundergarh districts of Orissa as
also amongst the Bhils and Garasias of Rajasthan, the Padhars, Rabris and Charans of Gujarat, Onges and
Jarawas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Yerukulas of Andhra Pradesh etc.
Most tribal women suffer from anemia, which lowers resistance to fatigue, affects working capacity
and increases susceptibility to disease. Maternal malnutrition is quite common among tribal women and also
a serious health problem, particularly for those having closely-spaced frequent pregnancies. The nutritional
status of tribal women directly influences their reproductive performances and the birth weight of their
children, which is crucial to the infant's chances of survival, growth and development. The Scheduled Tribes
of India are thus caught in a vicious cycle of malnutrition and ill health.
3.9. Animal bites, suicides and accidents:
A considerable burden on tribal population is also inflicted upon by animal bites suicides and accidents. The
lifestyle of the tribal population in the area of investigation and the forest clad hilly terrain can explain the
large number of deaths due to snake bites and accidental deaths. However, suicides in the tribal population
point to a deeper social malady, which needs to be looked into.
4. The tribal health initiative (THI) model:
Tribal Health Initiative (THI) was started in 1992 by Dr. Regi George and Dr. Lalitha Regi in Tamil Nadu.
The THI healthcare delivery model is based on a 3-tiered framework of healthcare staff (doctors, health
workers and health auxiliaries) with a base hospital as its nodal point. The base hospital acts as the centre
and administrator of the health system. The first phase of the base hospital, the outpatient facility, was a mud
and thatched hut erected in 1993. By the end of 1996, the hospital had expanded to a 10-bedded facility with
an operation theatre, labour room, neonatal care facility, emergency room and a laboratory. Currently, the
hospital has 20 beds with tubal ligations and intrauterine devices being provided on a voluntary basis to tribal
women who desire to end or limit their reproductive capabilities. While on-site doctors take care of the
secondary level of curative treatment in the hospital setting, the roles of the health worker and health

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auxiliary involve a limited combination of clinical and preventive services [8]. They provide services both in
the hospital and in the tribal villages to which the THI caters. The hospital has a multimedia centre and
organizes weekly screening of health education videos for inpatients. However, the THI does not provide
immunizations to its target population.
The THI health workers are tribal women who have studied up to the eighth standard of school, and
received one-and-a-half years of hospital-based residential training in primary and secondary care. After
successfully completing their training, they are deployed to function as nurses at the base hospital and also
provide participation in the technical aspects of peripheral health activities t taking place in the field.
Health auxiliaries are illiterate tribal women, past childbearing age, who function as the THI’s first point of
contact for patients in each tribal villages. They receive a total of 25 days of training at the base hospital. The
Health auxiliaries register births, deaths, marriages and pregnancies in their respective villages, periodically
weigh and also register under 5 year children, collect pregnant mothers for village antenatal clinics, and
make referral of the complicated cases and deliveries to the base hospital. They are also trained in providing
services for the prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition and early detection and treatment of
respiratory tract infections. Six medicines are provided by the THI’s base hospital to the health auxiliaries to
aid in management of minor medical conditions of patients. Graphical methods and colour coding, are used
to familiarize health auxiliaries with the medicines provided to them (e.g. ‘the red medicine [paracetamol] is
for mild fever’). Descriptive methods are used to teach health auxiliaries to make a symptomatic diagnosis of
common morbidities such as a cold, fever and respiratory infections. Children are weighed with the aid of
Teaching Aids at Low Cost™ (TALC) weighing scales that allow the documenter to make graphical
notations on pre-formatted weight charts to track the growth status of children. Such new qualitative methods
have created the need for literate village-based health staff. Thus effective healthcare delivery models like
these should be universalized for use in all the tribal populations in our country for achievement of optimal
health and utilization of healthcare facilities.
5.Tribal welfare programmes/schemes in India:
5.1. Integrated Tribal Development Project:
192 Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDPs) / Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs)
spread over 19 States / Union Territories are present in our country. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides
grant to the State Governments to implement these schemes/ programmes for Scheduled Tribes, meant for
their socio-economic development and protection against exploitation. The State Governments in turn,
implement these schemes/ programme by releasing funds to their administrative units viz. ITDPs / ITDAs
etc. and details of funding and implementation of items of are also maintained by these States.
5.2. Nursery-cum-Women Welfare Centres:
Children (3-5 years of age) whose parents are not in a position to take care of their children are provided
integrated development. Nursery-Cum-Women Welfare Centres were started by the Department of Social
Welfare for the first time in 1958, for the children of Scheduled Castes. These facilities were latter extended
to children belonging Scheduled Tribes, Denotified Tribes, Nomadic and Semi nomadic Tribes. Each Centre
has 50 children, consisting of both boys and girls. A Women Welfare Organizer and a conductress maintain
the Centres. Every year in the month of May, the women welfare organizer visits the Scheduled Caste/Tribe
houses in the locality and prepares a list of children who are in the age group of 3-5 years. These children are
brought to the Centre by the every day by 9.00 a.m. Children are cleansed neatly, and are put in classrooms.
The organizer who also works as a teacher, teaches alphabets, rhymes, story telling. The children are given a
hot mid-day-meal cooked at the Centre, at the cost of Rs.1 /- per day per child. The children are also given 2
sets of dresses annually, at the cost of Rs. 150/- per child.
5.3. Janshala Programme:
Janshala is a joint programme of the Government of India and five UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF,

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UNFPA, UNESCO and ILO) for the universalization of primary education among educationally backward
communities. The programme is being implemented in nine Indian states. School education guarantee
centres and alternative schools in tribal habitations for non-enrolled and drop-out children are constructed. At
the beginning of the primary education cycle, when they do not understand the regional language the
textbooks are in the mother tongue for children. Suitable curriculum and locally relevant teaching and
learning materials for tribal students are arranged. Special training for non-tribal teachers to work in tribal
areas, including knowledge of tribal dialect is provided. Deployment of community teachers is also
considered. School calendars in tribal areas appropriate to local requirements and festivals are made.
Anganwadis and Balwadis or creches are developed in each school in tribal areas so that the girls are
relieved from sibling care responsibilities. Sense of ownership of school committees by ST communities
through increasing representatives of STs in these school committees is taken care of. Involving community
leaders in school management, and monitoring attendance and retention of children to providing context
specific intervention is also ensured.
5.4. Ashram schools:
Includes establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub-Plan Areas by Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The
scheme is funded on 50:50 basis by the Central and State government. Scheduled Tribe (ST) students
pursuing primary, middle, secondary and senior secondary education are eligible for the scheme.
5.5. Pre matric hostels& Post matric hostels:
Department of Social Welfare is maintaining 1157 such hostels, providing boarding and lodging facilities to
Scheduled Caste/Tribe students studying from V to X Std and above. Each hostel is looked after by a Hostel
Superintendent, supported by cooks and kitchen servant’s watchman etc, The Superintendents are qualified
with a degree and B.Ed. The strength of hostels varies between a minimum of 50 strength to a maximum of
550 students.
The expenditure for each of the facilities available in these Hostels is given below:- Food Charges (monthly)
- Rs. 450.00, 2 sets of dresses (annually) - Rs. 350.00, Text Books & stationery (annually) - Rs.250.00, Beds
and bed sheets (once in 3 years) - Rs.400.00, Miscellaneous expenses (monthly) - Rs. 40.00 , Hair cutting
charges (for boys only, annually) - Rs. 60.00, Part-time tutors to teach hostellers. – Rs.500 per month/tutor,
For every hostel, 3 tutors are appointed to teach Science, math's and general subjects like English (for 6
months from oct to March), News papers and weekly magazines - Rs. 1000.00 (annual charges), Medical
expenses (annual charges) - Rs. 1000.00, Maintenance of utensils and kitchen items (annual) - Rs. 600.00,
Electricity and water bill charges (monthly) - RS.1000.00, Sports items purchased during starting of Hostels.
- Rs. 1000.00.
5.6. Navachetana scheme:
Navachetana is the scheme for the training of unemployed SC youths programme taken up by Govt. from the
year 1996-97.The department of Social Welfare has been training unemployed Sch. tribe youths in various
trades, crafts like Carpentry, Smithing, Fitters, Turners, Welders, Gear Cutting, Flute milling, Lathe,
Automobile, Garments, hotel industry, Leather industry, IT sector, Hardware sector, TV repairs, Home
appliances repairs, screen printing etc., depending upon the qualification of the candidate, his aptitude and
skill mainly to make him self reliant, and to take up self employment programmes and also to acquire
necessary skill for employment opportunities. Training is imparted through Govt., semi Govt., Public sector
and reputed private sector organizations.
5.7. Books Bank Scheme:
The Scheme is responsible for establishment of Book Banks in each Medical (including Indian systems of
Medicines and Homeopathy), Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary, Polytechnics, Law Courses, Chartered
Accountancy, MBA and Bio-Science Faculties, for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe students who can not

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afford expensive education .The inability of these students to buy costly test books, results in drop outs
which holdback the upliftment of Scheduled Tribes.
5.8. Tribal research centre: The main objectives of these centres are:
To conduct studies on tribal Communities
To import training and proper orientation on tribal cultures and development.
To record Social, Economic, Religious, political and Psychological changes among the Scheduled Tribes.
To recommend weaker communities for inclusion in the list of SC/ST of Tamil Nadu.
To publish monographs on the life and culture of the tribal communities
To develop tribal Museum with the concept of culture preservation
To prepare perspective plans for the uplift of the tribes
6. Limitations in tribal health research:
6.1. Research perspectives in tribal health:
Researchers had been misinterpreting “experience” in tribal health as “evidences”. Most of the time the
secondary data are not always reliable or not even available on number of aspects of tribal health. Even if the
data is available, it does not corroborate or do not sync with the actual situation in tribal areas of our country.
Proper and appropriate social science reporting is also missing. All these limitations demand prompt and
adequate genuine research in the field of tribal health in India.
6.2. Tribals perspectives:
From the view point of tribal residents, its essential to establish non-governmental organisations including
tribal representatives. To cope up with the prevailing levels of illiteracy and ignorance in the tribal
populations it is required to establish higher educational institution in these areas. Conduct seminars and
conferences in tribal areas at regular intervals will also help in tackling the prevailing ignorance and un-
awareness. Researches done on these populations should appropriately present the findings that address
limitations also. Research on tribal perspectives have also shown that there is also a need to eliminate
“mediators” who absorb all benefits which are the rights of tribes [9]. Primary schools should not be closed
down even if there are just 1 or 2 students. There is also a dire need to Design & develop flexible &
contextual education curriculum in the respective local dialect of that area. Designing community schools
with seasonal flexibility will also help to decrease the school drop outs. Family should be the focus of
education in these areas. Legislation should be strengthened to abolish inadequate and forceful resettlement
for the already suffering tribal people. Robust policies and schemes should be framed to answer the problem
of lacking rehabilitation facilities. More and more research on the agenda of tribal health needs to be
undertaken, so that the actual sufferings and problems of these tribes can be identified to help the tribes give
them their rights and position in the society.
6.3. What can researchers do?
Gather empirical evidence of effectiveness of the programs such as Integrated Tribal Development
Programme. The evidences gathered should be presented to government for further appropriate action.
Gather qualitative aspects which bring to light the real causes of situations like school drop outs, education
etc. Explore how technology and social media can alleviate various problems. Design and evaluate if schools
can be started in all tribal settings. Research on tribal medicine should be emphasized.
7. Dilemma in the role of ngos in tribal development:
Tribes do not believe NGOs role in their development, as a result of high exploitation of tribes by NGOs.
The funds availed from governments by NGOs for the betterment of tribes are not reaching the main
beneficiary-the tribes. Empty promises and innumerable surveys for data without any benefits or

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improvement in the status of the tribal participants. No evidence of impact and effectiveness of NGOs in
tribal development
Summary:
NGOs must ideally be established and run by tribes for their true development. There is a dire need and
Importance of intervention research in this field. Lack of inclusion of mental health condition, environmental
sanitation and perspectives of other essential stakeholders like tribes, policy planning and implementing
authorities, and private entities is to be fulfilled. The generalizability and internal validity of current research
in the tribal area should be taken into serious consideration. Various approaches are required to tackle high
level of subjectivity while interpreting the results among researchers. More studies on prevailing NGO
practices in these areas should be done. About 90% of population in tribes are not aware of any welfare
schemes for them, their rights and freedom, their reservations to participate in political system, job
opportunities in government sector, education schemes. Directive principles of state policy should become
justiciable rights so as to be able to protect the rights of the tribal people. Implementation of these rights and
principles should be done immediately. Traditional tribal expertise should be integrated into national health
systems.
References:
1.The Tribal Health Initiative model for healthcare delivery: A clinical and epidemiological approach Hari
Prabhakar, Ravikumar Manoharan, Volume 18, Number 4. July/ August 2005.
2. Ministry of Tribal Affairs India. Assessed from: http://tribal.nic.in/Content/DefinitionpRrofiles.aspx
3.Basu SK. A health profile of tribal India. Health Millions 1994;2:12–14.
4. R.S. Balgir. Tribal Health Problems, Disease Burden and Ameliorative. Challenges in Tribal Communities
with Special Emphasis on Tribes of Orissa. (Proceeding of National Symposium on Tribal Health).
http://www.rmrct.org/files_rmrc_web/centre's_publications/NSTH_06/NSTH06_22.RS.Balgir.pdf.
5. National Seminar on Tribal Health In India, 2013 Report. Assessed from:
http://fhts.ac.in/files/National%20Seminar%20on%20Tribal%20Health%202013%20Report.pdf
6.Chhotray GP, Ranjit MR. Prevalence of G-6-PD deficiency in a malaria endemic tribal area of Orissa
(India). Indian J Med Res 1990;92:443–6.
7.M. K. Bhasin. Genetics of Castes and Tribes of India: Int J Hum Genet, 6(2): 145-151 (2006).
8.Dr. Devath Suresh. Tribal development through five year plans in India – an overview. The dawn journal
vol. 3, no. 1, January - June 2014.
9.Tribal public Health profile. Exploring public Health capacity in Indian Country. National Indian
health board, 2010. Available from: ww.nihb.org/docs/07012010/NIHB_HealthProfile %202010.pdf