INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)

ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue VIII, August 2025

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Role of Grama Panchayats Facilitating Health Care Services in

Rural Areas With Reference to Mangalore

Dr. Bharathy

1

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of Grama Panchayats in facilitating and improving primary healthcare

services in rural areas of Mangalore. The study aims to assess their involvement in healthcare services, implementation, and to

identify the challenges and opportunities they face in the healthcare delivery system.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The study uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data has used the survey

method with the help of questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of 24 questions which were distributed to the residents of

Grama Panchayat. For this article, the secondary data is collected from different sources like Google Scholar, Shodhganga etc.

Findings: The findings indicate that Grama Panchayats play a critical role in the delivery of primary healthcare services by

facilitating awareness programs, monitoring health facilities, and supporting infrastructural development. The study also finds

that there is active community participation and satisfaction among the respondents.

Originality or Value: This paper is one of the first focused studies to explore the role of Grama Panchayats facilitating healthcare

the services offered. Grama Panchayat facilitates healthcare services in order to improve the well-being of the rural people.

Grama Panchayats play an important role in helping the rural people to get access to the primary healthcare services in rural areas

of Mangalore.

As a local governing body, Grama Panchayats make sure that the basic health facilities are provided to the residents of the area.

Grama Panchayats are good in sharing information about the services offered by primary healthcare centre to the residents of the

area through various channels. Grama Panchayats provide healthcare services in order to raise the awareness and educate the need

of healthcare to the residents by focusing on sanitation, hygiene etc. They provide the required healthcare services by

collaborating with the healthcare providers such as ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) etc.

The Grama Panchayat plays a vital role in facilitating primary healthcare services to ensure that they are easily accessible to all

residents. It organizes various health camps and conducts health-related programs to raise awareness among rural populations

 To evaluate the effectiveness of primary healthcare programs.

Statement of the problem

Accessing primary healthcare services in rural areas are difficult than urban areas due to lack of hospitals in the nearby areas,

inadequate infrastructure etc. Grama Panchayats can address these issues as they are the local governing bodies. This article

focuses on the challenges faced by the rural people while accessing the services and also the role of Grama Panchayat in

facilitating primary healthcare services in order to ensure the well-being of the residents. Challenges faced by the rural people

while accessing the healthcare services include lack of transportation facility, the distance required to the reach the centre etc.

These challenges may lead to delay in getting the right treatment, which in turn affects the health of the resident. These challenges

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)

ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue VIII, August 2025

www.ijltemas.in Page 753

can be mitigated by providing basic health facilities, organizing regular health camps, spreading awareness about health and

hygiene etc.

Google Scholar. These sources were referred to identify research gaps, support the formulation of objectives, and compare the

findings of the current study with those from previous literature.

Sample Size and Sampling Technique: A total of 100 respondents from different Grama Panchayats in Dakshina Kannada

District participated in the study. The respondents were selected using a survey method, and responses were gathered through

Google Forms.

Timing of Data Collection: The primary data collection was conducted over a three-month period, from 29th December 2024 to

29th March 2025.

Tools for Data Analysis: The collected data was analysed using basic statistical tools, primarily descriptive statistics. The

responses were tabulated and expressed in the form of percentages, enabling easy interpretation and understanding of trends and

patterns relevant to the research objectives.

patient’s satisfaction may be due to rising costs which affects the staff wages and that leads to frustration and union activity. Many

healthcare staffs are overworked or careless, which may lead to lack attention towards the patients. It is observed that the

hospitals were less productive and patient satisfaction is poor. Altogether, these issues lead to decreased staff morale and the

overall effectiveness of the hospital services.

Panda (2005) carried out a study which highlighted the health problems faced by the tribal women. This study revealed that one

of the main challenges is the lack of proper medical facilities for the tribal women. Along with the above challenges, there were

also other issues such as cultural practices, poor hygiene, lack of awareness, and difficulty in accessing healthcare services which

played a major role in affecting their health. The study concluded that the available funds for the purpose of healthcare were not

utilized properly due to various reasons and also the village leaders were not aware about the various sources from which the

funds could be available for healthcare services.

Qadeer (2013) has analysed how India’s healthcare system has changed due to neoliberal policies. The study reveals how the

healthcare services were once seen as a public good, are now treated as a product for profit. Instead of having a single, unified

healthcare system, services are split into different programs such as Universal Health Care, tertiary care, and the National Rural

Health Mission in order to reach people in both rural and urban areas. Public- private partnerships and commercialization have

reduced the role of government in delivering healthcare services. As a result, access to healthcare services is more shaped by

market forces rather than public focused.

D'Souza and Leelavathi (2013) have analysed the public health services in Karnataka and also have reviewed the health profile of

the state. In this article, they examined the progress and the gaps in delivering the health services using the State’s Integrated

Health Policy of 2004 as a reference. They compared the current health statistics of Karnataka with other Southern States in order

to evaluate how well the aims and visions of the Integrated Health Policy of 2004 have been met. They study also offers

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue VIII, August 2025

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indicating complete awareness among the sample population.

 The study revealed that 78% of the respondents received information about healthcare services from local health workers,

while 13% relied on social media, 6% obtained information through community meetings, and 3% through television or radio.

 It is evident from the study that 54% of the respondents were aware of ASHA workers and their roles, whereas 37% had only

heard of ASHA workers but lacked detailed knowledge, and 9% were not aware of them at all.

 According to the study, 41% of the respondents visited the primary healthcare centre occasionally, 41% visited rarely, and

only 18% visited regularly.

 The study also found that respondents visited the primary healthcare centres for multiple purposes: 47% for general check-

ups, 18% for vaccinations, 12% for maternal and child health services, and 23% for other healthcare needs.

 A significant proportion (74%) of the respondents were aware of preventive health programs conducted by the Grama

18% were unsure about the adequacy of health services offered through primary healthcare centres.

 With respect to quality assessment, 23% of respondents rated the services as “Excellent”, 59% as “Good”, 15% as “Average”,

and 3% considered the quality of care provided by healthcare staff as “Poor”.

 The main challenges reported by respondents in accessing healthcare services included long waiting times (49%), poor

infrastructure (13%), lack of emergency services (15%), lack of privacy during consultations (10%), and other challenges

(13%).

 The study also identified key barriers to healthcare access, such as lack of awareness about available services (32%), long

waiting times (12%), inadequate healthcare staff (13%), affordability issues (10%), lack of specialized services (10%), poor

infrastructure (7%), lack of trust in healthcare providers (6%), cultural or social barriers (5%), and other unspecified barriers

(5%).

while 15% were highly involved, 18% had low involvement, and 13% reported no involvement at all.

 When asked about the most urgent healthcare needs in their community, 50% of respondents highlighted improved access to

basic health services, 9% prioritized maternal and child health services, 6% cited mental health services, 16% pointed to

emergency care services, 12% identified health education and awareness, and 7% mentioned other healthcare needs.

 In terms of overall satisfaction, 22% of respondents reported being very satisfied, 54% were satisfied, 21% remained neutral,

and 3% were dissatisfied with the healthcare services provided by the Grama Panchayats.

 The study further found that 34% of the respondents felt that the primary healthcare program was very effective, 44% found it

somewhat effective, 19% believed the program needed improvement, and 3% considered it to be ineffective.

V. Recommendations

 Organize regular health camps and awareness programs on sanitation, maternal health, nutrition and communicable diseases.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)

ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue VIII, August 2025

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 Allocate funds and resources to maintain and improve local healthcare infrastructure, such as clean drinking water, toilets, and

approach roads to primary healthcare centres.

bridge between the residents and the healthcare centres in order to provide adequate primary healthcare services. Grama

residents. Rural people can receive better healthcare services, by giving the Grama Panchayats more authority, which will lead to

enhanced health results and reduce healthcare gaps.

Grama panchayats also works with ASHAs to ensure that the health services are reached to the people who need them the most.

In Mangalore rural areas, where the access to healthcare services is minimum, Grama Panchayats play a crucial role in facilitating

primary healthcare services. By providing right training, enough funds, and strong support systems to the Grama Panchayats,

1. Agarwal, K. G. (1976). Managing patient satisfaction in hospital. Indian Journal of Public Administration, Volume 22,

Issue 2. PP 269 – 277.