Female Health Workers: Problems and Implications
FEMALE health workers working at primary health centres (PHC) and sub centres, provide comprehensive health and family welfare services to the people at their doorsteps and are the most vital link in the entire chain. They work with the people confronted with illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, deep rooted social customs and taboos. They have to provide services where there is a lack of health culture among the people. People are ignorant and reluctant about health care. Either they go for no treatment or believe more in home remedies. Thus, it is difficult and challenging to motivate the rural masses to use the health and family welfare services available at PHCs and sub centres. Shouldering such a heavy responsibility involving a tough and tiring job, these FHWs working at PHCs and sub centres are exposed to and confronted with many risks and dangers in the scattered and scanty villages. They live alone, far from their families, at PHC and sub centre. Usually the sub centres are located outside the villages. Houses are not in proper shape. The basic facilities are not available in government quarters. In many places, there is no water and electricity. Their job demands odd time visits in the community which creates many problems for them. They do not get the desired respect and co operation from the community. Living in such a pathetic situation, they are not even treated sympathetically, rather blamed for the failure of any health and family welfare programme by the higher officials and the community as well.