CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF POLICY GAPS IN TRIBAL HEALTH REFORMS IN INDIA: A STUDY OF MALKANGIRI DISTRICT OF ODISHA

Tribal communities in general are highly disease prone. They are victim of poor maternal and child health and lack of proper health infrastructure facilities in the tribal area. The study reflects the impact of the developmental plans and schemes for the tribal groups. The health status and challenges associated with tribal health reforms and gaps in India. It maps the pattern of health indicators among the STs in Malkangiri district and Odisha. It examines the out-of-pocket expenditure across the social groups in Malkangiri district. Study suggests measures for better medical health care for sustainable health practices for tribal population. The household survey was conducted from February 2017 to February 2018. There are 7 blocks in Malkangiri district; to select the households; multistage sampling method was followed. 5% of the households were selected from each block which was 10,913 households. Out of 10,913 households uniform 5% households were selected randomly and the sample size was 545. The health expenditure on doctors' fees, medicines and drugs and hospital fees was calculated. The Statistical analyses of the data are made by using percentage, ratios and mean.