Right To Health of Indigenous Community: Innovative Tribal Public Health, Challenges and Policy in India

This paper explores the intricate relationship between the right to health and access to healthcare among India's indigenous tribal communities, who constitute 8.6% of the nation’s population. Despite constitutional mandates and international treaties aimed at protecting their rights, these communities face significant challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. The study delves into the historical, social, and policy frameworks that influence tribal health, highlighting the alarming disparities in health outcomes, such as higher rates of infant mortality, maternal health issues, and malnutrition compared to non-tribal populations. The research critically examines the effectiveness of government initiatives, such as the National Health Mission and the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, in addressing these challenges. It also discusses the socio-cultural factors that hinder the utilization of public healthcare services by tribal populations, including the reliance on traditional medicine and the mistrust of modern healthcare systems. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare approach,integrating traditional practices with modern medicine, to ensure the holistic well-being of tribal communities.