Advanced Treatment Integration Needed to Strengthen Tribal Health – Chief Secretary Sujata Sonik

Nagpur : The tribal community has preserved the innate value and knowledge of biodiversity, the environment, and nature-based living. Through nature-based therapies, supported by various medicinal plants, they have found a sustainable way to heal without disturbing nature. To enhance the health of tribal communities in remote areas, it is necessary to integrate new medical services, technologies, and treatments into these traditional practices. In this regard, the global health conference on tribal health, held at AIIMS, was highlighted as significant by the Chief Secretary of the State, Mrs. Sujata Sonik.

She was speaking at the conference organized by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur. The event was attended by notable figures, including the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Lieutenant General Madhuri Kanitkar (Retd.), Director of AIIMS Nagpur Dr. Prashant Joshi, Dr. Milind Nikumbh, Conference Coordinator Dr. Sanjeev Chaudhary, and University Registrar Dr. Rajendra Bangal, among others.

“No matter how much progress we make, we cannot overlook these inherent natural values,” said Mrs. Sonik. She emphasized that tribal communities in remote areas have managed their health with their innate knowledge, despite limited access to advanced medical facilities. There is a need to empower them through modern health infrastructure alongside their traditional practices. The government is working at various levels to support this. Health-related information from ASHA workers, health workers, and other welfare schemes is crucial in addressing the health challenges of tribal populations. According to the standards of the ‘World Health Organization,’ information gained from direct health services is essential for effective intervention under the University’s ‘Blossom’ project.

She also mentioned that issues like sickle cell anemia, malnutrition, and high rates of child mortality are more prevalent in tribal areas. However, both the central and state governments have launched several initiatives that have yielded significant success. Collaborative efforts by researchers to find solutions to malnutrition, child mortality, and healthcare deficiencies are crucial. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, various measures are being implemented across India. The Prime Minister’s Janman Yojana has allocated around Rs. 24,000 crores, and projects like Ayushman Bharat, the Nutrition Mission, Health E-Portal, and others are being actively promoted. The Maharashtra government is also fully committed to addressing the health concerns of the tribal population, Mrs. Sonik affirmed.

Lieutenant General Madhuri Kanitkar (Retd.), Vice-Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, welcomed Mrs. Sujata Sonik, the Chief Secretary of the State. During the conference, she visited the Tribal Village created on the AIIMS campus and explored various tribal handicrafts, which were made available for sale as innovative and artistic products.