Health of indigenous people: Local practices and practitioners can become part of comprehensive programme

doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7421.988-b

BMJ 2003;327:988 (25 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7421.988-b

Letter

Health of indigenous people

Local practices and practitioners can become part of comprehensive programme

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Ring and Brown discuss the health status of indigenouspeoples and others.¹ What can be done to improve the healthof indigenous peoples?

Unconventional modes of treatment, such as exercise and yoga,and unconventional medical pathies, such as ayurveda and homoeopathy,need to be recognised and encouraged. These can be used cheaplyand effectively to manage at least the self limiting conditionsand to promote a healthy life style in general. The mental healthof indigenous peoples requires particular attention.

Medical doctors should make sure that they attend their postingsand see patients regularly. Administrators need to allocatemore funds and monitor them strictly so that they are used properly.A comprehensive health programme is needed. This may be partof or separate from the main system to promote a healthy anddisease free society of indigenous peoples.

Faith healers, local "practitioners," self proclaimed doctors,and quacks can . . . [Full text of this article]

Sindhu Singh, resident

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India 110029 singhsindhu@hotmail.com