Exploring Women’s Health Care Facility in Meghalaya: Special Reference to Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Tribes

Abstract

Meghalaya is a beautiful place covered by Hilly area of North East India. People face very challenges to reach the health services because of transportation and other means of communication. Meghalaya’s health care system for women represents interplay of traditional health practices, matrilineal social systems and contemporary medical and health services. While the state, compared to other regions, enjoys a relatively empowered status for women, challenges continue to persist regarding accessibility, awareness, and infrastructure, especially in the rural and tribal areas (Srivastava, A et.al; 2015). Focus of this study will be on identifying and analyzing the health care system among women, Meghalaya. Present study further examines women's health care in Meghalaya, availability of maternal and reproductive health services, prevalence of health problems like anemia, malnutrition, and the function of traditional healers in the community and the health system. The study mentions government programs like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and supported by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) while navigating through the gaps in implementation and service delivery. Socio cultural, geographic isolation, and economic barriers are discussed as important determinants affecting the access of women to quality health care. The present study is based on secondary sources like the government data, NGO's activities on health, information from Google Scholar to analyze the health care system among women in Meghalaya. Findings point toward the necessity of integrated approaches combining modern medicine and health care system with culturally sensitive outreach programs guaranteeing unbiased and inclusive health care for women in Meghalaya.