Inter-district disparities in health facilities in Karnataka

Regional disparities in health care infrastructure are a common problem in both developed and developing states. But it differs in certain degrees. Karnataka is one of the above national average states in India facing inter regional and intra regional disparities since 1956. Despite overall improvements in health indicators, inter-district disparities still continue. In this context, this study has made an attempt to analyse the inter-district disparities of health facilities in Karnataka. To analyse inter district disparities the study has used various health indicators and health index values. All the data are collected from reliable secondary sources. The data has been collected from successive Rural Health Statistics Reports, DLHS-3 and Civil Registration System. The data presented in this study and the analysis so far clearly establish that there are considerable disparities in health indicators and facilities across the districts. The forward districts are characterised by better demographic indicators and significantly better infrastructural facilities. On the other hand, the backward districts are still characterised by lower level of demographic development, and underdeveloped infrastructural facilities. Therefore, it is very important that the present trends are arrested and preferably reversed. This will require concerted efforts on the part of the State governments. Resources may be a major constraint, but not necessarily the only or not even the most important one.