Factors contributing to efficacy of traditional health care providers and medicine: Evidences from Nagaland

International Conference and Exhibition on Traditional & Alternative Medicine

December 09-11, 2013 Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad, India

Moatula Ao and H. Lhungdim

Posters: Altern Integ Med

Abstract :

Traditional Medicine/complementary and alternative medicine (TM/CAM) as well as the service providers are widely used around the world yet the recognition is subtle. It is used extensively for many purposes like reproductive health care services, and at the household level for major and minor ailments. WHO estimated that in many developing countries, 80% or more of the population living in rural areas are cared for by traditional practitioners and birth attendants. In India also for about 65% of the population Traditional medicine is the only source of primary health care (WHO, 2002). Surveys like concurrent evaluation of NRHM found that in Nagaland, home remedies used for diarrhoea, high fever and cough, breathing are 62.5 %, 30.9% and 39.5% respectively, and around 11-20% households reported treatment of minor and major ailments with traditional medicines (IIPS, 2009). According to NFHS-3 (2005-2006), also nearly 90% of the births were delivered at home by relatives/friends and TBAs. Keeping in mind the importance of TM/CAM, this study attempts to explore and describe the role of traditional providers and medicine in primary health care, including treatment of major and minor ailments, in Nagaland, India. It is argued that in Nagaland due to hilly terrain, access to and infrastructural development of modern facilities becomes difficult, leading to shortages of doctors forcing people to turn to traditional healers and medicines. The study uses secondary and primary sources (case study) and expects the findings highlight the impact of TM/CAM in health care in the 21 st century.

Biography :

Moatula Ao has obtained Masters in Economics from Mumbai University in 2009, Moatula Ao got masters in Population Studies and M.Phil from International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai. Currently she is doing Ph.D. at IIPS, on ?Perceived health risk and interface of health care providers in Nagaland: with special reference to traditional health care providers from demand- supply perspective?. The research will examine the interface of modern and traditional care, consumer preferences, traditional practices at the household and individual levels. She had presented papers at national seminars and have one paper accepted for publication by EPW on child malnutrition.