International Day of the World’s Indigenous People and India’s Tribal Health Report
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is celebrated annually on 9th August. Its origin can be traced back to the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982. This day aims to raise global awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. In 2018, India submitted its first National Report on the State of India’s Tribal People’s Health, marking significant strides towards addressing health disparities among tribal communities.
About the World Tribal Day
World Tribal Day was first celebrated in 1994, following a declaration by the United Nations. It commemorates the inaugural meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations. The day seeks to draw attention to the challenges faced by indigenous peoples, including extreme poverty, marginalization, and human rights abuses. The theme for 2022 is “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge”.
The State of India’s Tribal People’s Health Report: An Overview
The comprehensive report was produced over five years by a 13-member committee jointly appointed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. This extensive research successfully highlighted the authentic health status of tribal people across India.
Key Findings of the Report
The report uncovered that despite there being designated areas for tribal settlement, known as Scheduled Areas, an unexpected 50% of India’s approximately 11 crore tribal population live outside these areas. The health status of this population has seen considerable improvements over the last 25 years, although there are persisting concerns over child malnutrition, prevalence of malaria and tuberculosis, and lack of adequate health care facilities.
Health Statistics
According to the National Family Health Survey, the under-five child mortality rate has declined from 135 deaths per 1000 in 1988 to 57 deaths per 1000 in 2014. Child malnutrition in tribal children is 50% higher than in others, while malaria and tuberculosis are three to eleven times more common among tribal people. The report also revealed severe deficits in public health care facilities and medical personnel available to the tribal population.
Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Audit
The Tribal Sub-Plan was designed with the aim of ensuring a proportionate allocation of financial resources equivalent to the percentage of the ST population in the State for tribal health. However, this policy has largely been disregarded by most states, leading to questions about fund utilization and accountability.
Recommendations by the Committee
The committee made several recommendations with a focus on improving the health and healthcare status of tribal communities within 10 years. This included the launch of a National Tribal Health Action Plan, 80 specific measures to address priority health issues, and increased funding allocations to match the stated goal of the National Health Policy (2017).
Governmental Initiatives for Tribal Welfare
The Government of India has introduced several initiatives for tribal welfare including the Anamaya 1000 Springs Initiative, Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY), TRIFED Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools, Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
The Diversity of Tribal Languages
Odisha boasts a diverse population of tribals with around 62 tribal communities. These tribes belong to three main language families – Austro-Asiatic (Munda), Dravida and Indo-Aryan. Among the tribal languages, only seven possess their own scripts, one of which is Santali that has been included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
For the upliftment of certain tribes, the Dhebar Commission in 1973 created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). These tribal groups were considered less developed and, therefore, needed special attention. To date, 75 tribal groups have been officially notified as PVTGs across 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Legal Initiatives for Scheduled Tribes (STs)
Since India’s independence, there have been major legal initiatives aimed at addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes. These initiatives, along with the continued efforts by the government and the respective communities, strive to improve the overall quality of life and status of indigenous and tribal populations in India.
