Tribal Health in India

over 104 million tribal people live in India. Spread across 705 tribes, they account for 8.6% of the country's population. Cognizant of the distinct socio-cultural structures and way of life in these communities, the Government of India has laid down the three landmark policy expressions -- the Constitution of India, the Panchsheel Principles and the PESA act -- for the protection and development of tribal communities.

These policy safeguards notwithstanding, the elected representatives from tribal areas frequently voice the problem of poor health and health services.

Numerous media reports show, that the tribal population continues to suffer from lack of infrastructure, development ....