Cultural Competency in Medicine Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cultural Competency in Medicine - Case Study Example The University of Nalanda, built in the 4th century, was also one of the greatest achievements of ancient India. Ayurveda, the system of traditional medicine, has its origins in India. Today there are 28 states and 7 Union territories in the country. The Government of India has introduced various health programs and policies. But most of the development indicators paint a grim picture, especially of the remote rural parts, where access to proper health care is still a major challenge. Rural poor often resort to alternative medicines and home remedies, which are cheaper than visiting qualified and trained health professionals. Religious beliefs and superstitions also add to their reluctance. Among many others, diabetes is one of the fastest growing health problems in India. Estimates show that India is home to around 40 million diabetics. This number gives India the dubious distinction of being home to the largest number of diabetics in any one country. The high rate of prevalence of complications is disturbing. The picture becomes all the more gloomy with reports that many patients already have these complications at the time of diagnosis. It is a widely accepted fact that more than 35-40% of people show the presence of some diabetes related complications at the time of diagnosis. India has a distinct need for a comprehensive diabetes care program. ... Most of the health budget is focused around immunization, providing clean drinking water and sanitation to the majority of the people. The government does not seem to have the finances to undertake any major program for non communicable diseases in general and diabetes in particular. Studies show that diabetic foot syndrome, which is a common yet preventable complication of diabetes, is even more neglected aspect of the disease in India. Peripheral sensory neuropathy, improper footwear, lack of patient knowledge about foot care and uncontrolled diabetes are some of the factors contributing to this syndrome. In India, footwear practices vary widely. Apart from a significant proportion of people walking barefoot outdoors, a majority of Indians walk barefoot indoors. While visiting religious shrines, people always go barefoot. In a tropical country like India, where the pavements or asphalt roads become very hot, and the rural pathways are uneven and dusty, walking barefoot can lead to injury. Furthermore, use of footwear like Hawaian chappal, which has a rubber sole supported by a strap in the first inter-digital space, but no back strap, exposes the feet to injury. Shoes, when worn by either sex, are often pointed and thus further expose the foot to injury. Also, the practice of not wearing socks, particularly in Indian females can result in a hyperkeratotic and fissured heel or a callosity of the first interdigital space or injury to the great toe. Overview of the case Murali, 60, has migrated to the US recently from the southern part of India. He has spent most part of his life working as a postman in a remote Indian village. Ever since his wife died two years back, he has been having constant health problems. With no proper medical facilities in

Case Report on country with a large refugee Essay

Case Report on country with a large refugee - Essay Example This enforced migration highlights the humanitarian concerns, our social biases and national and international policy. What lay ahead for refugees after their battle of survival? This paper aims at analyzing from humanitarian point of view the lives of refugees, often treated as an undifferentiated mass, both before and after displacement. This paper will explore the civil trauma faced by Afghan refugees and investigate the socio cultural and political background of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan. This paper aims at highlighting the lifelong psychological and mental affects of the trauma and the kind of life in refugee camps. Afghanistan has a very long and rich history mainly due to its geostrategic position. It lies on the crossroads of many cultures and on the many Asian migration routes. It is the home of many diverse cultures and population mainly due to extensive trade and migration. This diversity is one of the most important determining factor in its politics and responsible for the current economic and political instability. The term Afghanistan evolved in the eighteenth century when Pushtuns took control of this territory. Originally the term Afghan was also termed to Pushtuns majority. This also had political implications which made all non-Pushtuns outsiders to Afghanistan. Current Afghanistan is also divided among many ethnic groups. A rough estimate reveals that Pushtuns are the dominant majority forming 40% of the population. Second biggest group is of Tajiks who constitute 20% of the population. The other important ethnic groups are Hazaras, Uzbeks and Aimaqs each forming almost 9 % of the population. Afghanistan has a long history of conflicts and wars. However it gained its first independent monarchy in 1919-1973. During this period Afghanistan managed its own independent foreign policy. The third Afghan –Anglo war fought in 1919 led by king Amanullah earned Afghanistan complete freedom. This resulted in huge migration from central Asi an countries to Afghanistan which became safe haven for Muslims and hence enriched the already diverse population of Afghanistan. Amanullah implemented the modern concept of a nation according to the wishes of the King. This became the first cause of drift between the Islamic scholars and the modern government. Throughout this independent monarch period there were many political reforms sometimes conservative and sometimes very liberal. During the last decade of the Zahir’s rule there was severe political instability with many active political parties and freedom of press. In 1965 Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) was formed in 1965 which was basically the Afghan Communist party. In 1969 elections the Communist were elected in the government. The PDPA representatives immediately took control of all the major authoritative positions and paved the way for soviet invasion and military coup of April 1978. They tried to abolish all traditional and Islamic religious cu stoms practices and policies and tried to form a secular state. This attempt became the root cause of all the internal conflict and the rise of Taliban. Afghanistan came into the international lime light with the Soviet invasion, guerrilla war fought by Afghans against the Soviet Union and the communist government. Recent history has seen huge political upheaval in Afghanistan. Civil war broke out after the fall of the Marxist government. It has also