Bombay High court: Tribals have to be brought into mainstream for health care – Times of India

MUMBAI: Tribals have to be brought into the mainstream for health care, Bombay high court said on Monday while hearing a clutch of public interest litigation (PIL) on malnutrition deaths in Maharashtra’s tribal districts.
“First priority is these deaths should be stopped. Gradually you have to bring them to the mainstream so far as healthcare is concerned. They cannot go to tantriks,” said Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni.
Advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni submitted a reply on the steps that are being undertaken. He informed that recently 1500 doctors were recruited and are being deputed to some areas. He said the State cannot take steps to bring tribals into the mainstream as they resist removal from their traditional way of living. “Have you seen a tribal man or woman who is fat? By way of their DNA they are thin,” said the AG, adding that early marriages, births take their toll on the mother and child’s health. He said go to “tantrik and mantrik” and when the situation goes out of hand they visit hospitals.
But Melghat based activist Bandu Sane and advocate Jugal Kishore Gilda, for a petitioner, said several such reports have been submitted to HC of steps taken by the State but efforts are not seen on the field.
“From 93 till today more than 10000 children have died in Melghat. They need doctors,” said Sane. It was then that the judges said tribals have to be brought into mainstream health care. Citing the example of the Jarawa tribe in the Andaman islands, the CJ said, “When they fall ill they come to the hospital.”
The judges said some time must be given to the State to implement its short and long-term measures and the petitioners must “tell us if whatever they have said is only on paper and not on the field.”
“We have to save the children. Death is inevitable. One cannot stop death due to diseases. At least our efforts should be there,’’ said the CJ. The judges will hear the matter twice a month.