The Accessibility, Affordability and Availability of Health Care Services at Govindpuri Slum Area of South Delhi

Background: In spite of numerous government intervention programs to bring about changes in the health care delivery system throughout India, still there are numerous challenges that need to be overcome as many people still do not have access to primary health care services to cater for their health challenges, especially the slum dwellers, who are largely low income earners. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted during Jan 2019- May 2019 among 200 persons residing in Govindpuri slum area of South Delhi. A structured questionnaire comprising of both open and closed ended questions was used as a tool for data collection and was analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel and valid inferences were drawn. Results: 91% of the respondents claimed that the distance from their homes to health care facilities was either not trekkable or very far which denotes lack of Accessibility. 97% of the respondents earn less than Rs.15, 000 monthly, out of which 91% requires a means of transport to health care facilities, thus it can be said that health care services are relatively unaffordable to them. Only 9% of the respondents claimed the distance between their homes and the health care facilities was trekkable, which denotes lack of Availability of Health care facilities in the area. Conclusions: The study revealed that Govindpuri slum area is lacking the Accessibility, Affordability and Availability of healthcare services like it is the case in other slum areas, and so there is the urgent need for government intervention to improve health care delivery in slum areas.