Local governance and management of health care services: A community based case study in rural Odisha

Close to 700 million people live in rural areas where the condition of medical facilities is deplorable. In the context of maternal health and reproductive health care, which are the major concerns of human development goals, the important question is about the reach, accessibility, and affordability of these services to the people living in rural areas. As such the well-being of the villagers depends to a great extent on the efficacy of the gram panchayat. In view of the importance of health as a critical input for human development, the present case study aims to look at the different ways the gram panchyat members’ function and involve in areas of health, hygiene and sanitation. A case study of three villages under female and male headed panchayats in Kalahandi district of Orissa is undertaken to understand the involvement of local self-government in the management and delivery of public health services.