Maternal and child health from a human rights perspective: the Indian scenario and nuns as community health enablers

Authors

  • Dr. Tomi Thomas The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)
  • Dr. Anto Maliekal The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v3i2.125

Keywords:

Maternal and child health, Human Rights, Community Health Enablers

Abstract

All women need access to antenatal care in pregnancy, skilled care during childbirth, and care and support in the weeks after childbirth. This discussion tries to look into the life context of maternal and child health and the health scenario for women/girl children in general in India from the perspective of Human Rights. Currently, most of the public and private health experts and organizations do not talk and act on the human rights perspective of health service delivery. Reversely, only a very few rights-based organizations advocate directly the right to health of the marginalized. Within the framework of a rights-based approach, the right to (Maternal) Health on practical terms means Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality. Concluding, in the background of the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), the discussion also focuses on how the nun nurses play their role as “Community Health Enablers” to improve the situation.

Author Biographies

Dr. Tomi Thomas, The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)

Former Director General, the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)

Dr. Anto Maliekal, The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)

Head - Projects, The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)

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Published

2016-11-08

How to Cite

Thomas, D. T., & Maliekal, D. A. (2016). Maternal and child health from a human rights perspective: the Indian scenario and nuns as community health enablers. Christian Journal for Global Health, 3(2), 91–106. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v3i2.125