Page 17 - AYUR
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PROCESS
Effect of Economic Status on Access to Health Options
Preference towards healthcare options is observed to be split between different
economic classes with the growing economic rift in India. Medical insurance, one of the
biggest factors in urban Indians’ healthcare choices, is virtually unavailable for ISM
treatment, making it economically unreachable for a large section of the population.
The ISM facilities available to the urban population are few and scattered, rendering it
difficult for the lower sections of society to physically access these. Medical camps for
ISM are often set up, but the stigma surrounding ‘camps’ makes these exclusively suited
for the lowest economic section. In addition to this, the camps are not as well equipped
as hospitals or clinics, further widening the gap between economic groups. Treatment
using ISM in a majority of cases have long-drawn timelines for healing, and therefore
the overall costs would be perceived to be too large to afford in comparison to the
quick fixes offered by allopathy, despite ISM’s lower individual costs for treatment.
