Why is this important
Access to affordable and effective health care is a basic human right. All tribal-inhabited areas, particularly eastern India, have seen a decline in the overall health situation however. This is due to the lack of clean drinking water, sanitation and adequate nutrition which leaves the tribes people vulnerable to disease.
People end up suffering from endemic but curable health problems such as tuberculosis, malaria, gynecological problems, diarrhea, skin diseases and jaundice. In this context, the challenge has been to promote and upgrade herbal health care, a sustainable practice which is based on the traditional knowledge of the tribal communities and is accessible and cost effective.