Easy access to adequate healthcare facilities is the primary requisite to live a healthy and full life. Health is crucial for our economic wellbeing as well. For instance, illness prevents us from pursuing our daily routines; be it going to college or work. Chronic illnesses can cost us gainful employment, education and sometimes our career. Yet, poor healthcare systems hamper the lives of populations across the world; particularly in the third world, India not being an exception.

Healthcare facilities determine the mortality, morbidity and life expectancy of a given population. The healthcare infrastructure and health awareness levels in rural India are relatively abysmal affecting the overall progress/potential of the villagers. Most of the health issues in these areas are primary in nature and are easily curable. But, caught as they are in the vicious circle of poverty, a major chunk of the rural population does not enjoy access to basic healthcare facilities.

The public healthcare system is not keeping pace with its private counterpart. Further, it has been observed that the per capita expenditure on public health is seven times lower in rural areas, compared to government health spending in urban areas.

The state contributes just about 17 percent of the total expenditure on health; the remaining is borne by the people. The figures signify that the public health system in the country is grossly under-funded. As a result of this dismal and unequal spending on public health, the healthcare system itself is becoming ineffective.

Primary health centres (PHC) are the most peripheral and most vital unit of India’s public health infrastructure. In a recent survey, it was noticed that only 38% of all PHC's have the essential manpower and only 31% have all the essential supplies (defined as 60% of critical inputs), with only 3% of PHC's having 80% of all critical inputs.

The scarcely available facilities are further distanced from the general public primarily due to geographical factor and gender factor. With limited communication and mobility, the direct effect of distance on mortality rate has been well documented. People in remote areas with poor transportation facilities find it hard to access even the available facilities.

Further, poor incentives discourage doctors and nurses from moving to rural locations. Inadequacies due to poor supply of medicines deter people from using the facilities. Maternal mortality is clearly much higher in rural areas due to inadequate number of trained medical or paramedical staff. Lack of transport facilities aggravates the situation in case of pregnancy complications.

“Gender related distance” is the other important access difficulty. It is believed that the health of female population reflects the health of a society. Gender discrimination increases the vulnerability of women to various diseases. Which is why, infant and maternal mortality rates (IMR and MMR) are considered the most sensitive indicators of a society’s health. But, both the rates still remain very high in India. Apart from these preventable deaths, many infectious diseases worsen the health situation in the country. Apart from tuberculosis, communicable diseases like Malaria, Encephalitis, Black Fever (Kala Azar), Dengue and Chikungunya to name a few are yet to be eradicated. Simple curable diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, acute respiratory infections and asthma also take their toll due to weak public health system and poor public awareness.

Healthcare is a priority area for the Samithi since a sizable number of the community members cannot afford modern medical facilities. So, the Samithi identifies such members and facilitates their treatment.