GADCHIROLI

Gadchiroli’s healthcare landscape, like many other regions across India, is shaped by a mix of indigenous and Western medical practices. For centuries, communities in the district depended on local healers such as hakims and vaidyas, who treated illnesses using plants, herbs, and other resources found in the surrounding forests and fields. This use of local knowledge and natural remedies formed the base of early healthcare in Gadchiroli before formal hospitals were established. Over time, these practices continued alongside the introduction and expansion of more specialised medical services.

Much like other regions in India, Gadchiroli’s healthcare infrastructure follows a multi-tiered system that involves both public and private sectors. Currently, the public healthcare system is tiered into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Primary care is provided through Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres (PHCs), while secondary care is managed by Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Sub-District hospitals. Tertiary care, the highest level, includes Medical Colleges and District Hospitals. This system has been shaped and refined over time, influenced by national healthcare reforms. 

Supporting this structure is a network of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) who, as described by the National Health Mission, serve as “an interface between the community and the public health system.” Over time, this multi-layered healthcare model has been continuously shaped and refined by national healthcare policies and reforms to improve universal health coverage across regions.

Historically, Gadchiroli was part of the larger Chandrapur district before it became a separate district in 1982. Early medical services in the region were shaped by the public health system established during the colonial era. The Chandrapur district Gazetteer (1909) briefly mentions that the Chandrapur district then had 13 dispensaries and of them six were home to facilities at places now within Gadchiroli, namely Gadchiroli, Armori, Sironcha, Venkatapur, Ahiri, and Alapalli. These dispensaries were maintained through contributions from government funds, local bodies, and private donors, with midwives attached to some units.

Over the years, Gadchiroli’s public healthcare system has gradually expanded. According to National Health Mission reports from 2012, the district’s health infrastructure included one district hospital, a women’s hospital, 12 rural hospitals, and approximately 47 primary health centres (PHCs). Among the key government-run facilities are the Government General Hospital and the Government Child and Ladies Hospital, which continue to serve as important centres for public medical care.

Alongside this public network, private hospitals and clinics have also emerged, expanding healthcare options alongside the government network. Facilities such as City Hospital, it is said, increasingly attract patients from neighboring states like Telangana and Chhattisgarh, reflecting the growing demand for specialized care.

In recent years, local administration has taken steps to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. In 2021, it is reported that District Collector Deepak Singla led efforts to improve sanitation and basic amenities at government hospitals. Further, in 2024, Gadchiroli was selected as a pilot district for a new programme encouraging government hospitals to collaborate with private providers. This initiative aims to expand access to diagnostics and treatment in remote areas that have historically lacked advanced medical services.

Historically, before the establishment of Western healthcare systems or the three-tiered medical infrastructure seen today, communities in Gadchiroli district relied on indigenous knowledge and traditional forms of medicine for their well-being. India has long been marked by a pluralistic medical tradition, and Gadchiroli is no exception. Among the systems with a historical presence in the region are Ayurveda and Unani, both of which continue to inform local health practices. In many parts of the district, locals say, particularly in the Bhamragad and Korchi blocks, residents continue to use herbal and traditional remedies.

One such plant is Khandu Chakka (Ehretia laevis Roxb.), whose leaves are commonly used for treating wounds. The plant is also believed to possess antiviral properties, enhance immunity, prevent blood clotting, and inhibit viral mutations.

The root of the Gongla plant is traditionally used in the treatment of jaundice, particularly in recent cases where it is said to expedite recovery. The plant also carries spiritual significance. Its flowers are often placed on the body of Bhagwan Shiv or the Shivling during worship. Locals observe a ritual while digging up its roots, which involves performing a puja; failing to do so is believed to result in the sensation of snakes whispering around the person.

During the summer months, Palash flowers are used to reduce excess body heat (Jhaval). The dried flowers are ground into a powder, which is then applied to the wrists and forehead. The powder is also mixed with cold water and consumed to help cool the body.

Bhuineem is used to lower fever. An extract made from its leaves is administered to patients, and it is considered particularly effective in cases of typhoid, where it is believed to promote faster recovery.

Kavath (Limonia acidissima) is another plant commonly used for its anti-inflammatory and cooling properties. It is prepared as a kadha by combining the fruit with salt, water, jeera powder, sugar, and other ingredients.

The determinants of health and health outcomes, as the World Health Organization (WHO) elaborates, are not solely shaped by more than just medical factors and healthcare services. The organization uses the term “social determinants of health (SDH)” to refer to the “non-medical factors that influence health outcomes.”  These non-medical factors can be sanitation, nutrition, community well-being, or, as the WHO outlines, “income and social protection,” “food security,” access to quality healthcare, and more.

While there have been ongoing efforts to strengthen Gadchiroli district’s healthcare infrastructure, certain areas still face challenges, particularly in addressing these broader health determinants. In response, non-governmental organizations have emerged as vital partners, working alongside public health systems to develop innovative, grassroots-level approaches that bridge these gaps.

The Society for Education, Action, and Research in Community Health (SEARCH) was established in 1986 by Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang. Based in Gadchiroli, SEARCH operates in over 150 villages and has gained national and international recognition for its community-based healthcare interventions.

One of its most influential contributions is the development of the Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) model, designed to reduce infant mortality in rural and tribal areas. The model involves training local women to provide neonatal care at home, addressing issues such as malnutrition and limited access to formal medical facilities. SEARCH's initiatives have been considered to be especially significant given the district’s challenges, which include poor infrastructure, high poverty levels, superstitions, and conflict-related disruptions.

Samajbandh is a youth-led organization founded in 2016, focused on menstrual health, women’s hygiene, sex education, and gender equality. The organization operates primarily in rural and tribal regions of Maharashtra, including Gadchiroli district. It has sought to address the practice of isolating menstruating women in structures known locally as Kurmaghara, which are often makeshift shelters located near cattle sheds or in open courtyards. These shelters are typically used during the monsoon season, when sleeping outside is not possible, and are often lacking in basic amenities.

Through its initiative titled Satyache Prayog, Samajbandh has conducted awareness campaigns in areas such as Bhamragarh, engaging both women and men in discussions on menstrual dignity and health. The organization advocates for temporary improvements in shelter infrastructure—including the provision of light, water, bedding, and secure roofing—aimed at improving the safety and comfort of menstruating women.

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