Faculty Advisor
Pierre, Ly
Area of Study
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Publication Date
Summer 2011
Abstract
What circumstances prevent or hinder people in Himachal Pradesh, India from getting the health care they need? This question framed a summer research project in India in 2011. The project focused on qualitative personal interviews to collect stories and perceptions of the health care system. The gathered stories bring to life the health statistics found in public health journals. While health care officials presented a version of the health care system that spoke of all its strengths, the stories from the people living in poor regions of Dharamshala, India uncovered flaws in the health system. A recurrent theme among the locals was the inability to afford even the most basic health services. While hospital visits are free, patients must pay for all physical supplies used in the health service. Additionally, unforeseen circumstances sometimes prevent people from getting the care they need. Among other stories, this paper includes the story of Viki who lived in the ‘tent houses’ in Dharamshala who could not afford to get surgery for his eye.
Recommended Citation
Parecki, Daniel, "Barriers to Health – A perspective from the lives of marginalized citizens in India" (2011). Summer Research. 96.
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/96
Rights
Publisher
University of Puget Sound