The interrelationships of the indigenous (traditional and western (modern) systems of medicine are a function of the interplay of social, economic, and political forces in the community. In India, western medicine was used as a political weapon by the colonialists to strengthen the oppressing classes and to weaken the oppressed. Not only were the masses denied access to the western system of medicine, but this system contributed to the decay and degeneration of the preexisting indigenous systems. This western and privileged-class orientation of the health services has been actively perpetuated and promoted by the postcolonial leadership of India. The issue in formulating an alternative health care system for India is essentially that of rectifying the distortions which have been brought about by various forces. The basic premise for such an alternative will be to start with the people. Action in this field will lead to a more harmonious mix between the indigenous and western systems of medicine.
PIP: This is a discussion of the ways in which social, economic, and political factors interrelate to influence health delivery systems in a community. A general social history of health services is presented. It is seen that health services influence the health status of a population; so do, and even more significantly, socioeconomic forces. Health services are, in turn, used as a political weapon to increase the dependence of 1 class on another and to promote certain vested market interests. With industrialization came dislocation of elements of the population. Health services were developed to treat these dislocated people's needs and also to maintain dependency relationships. The industrialized business world also realized that health itself could become an industry. In India, Western medicine was used by the colonialists to strengthen the oppressing classes and weaken the oppressed classes. The colonial system denied access of the masses to this Western medical system. Introduction of so-called "modern" medicine caused the traditional, indigenous medical system to decay and degenerate. The postcolonial leadership in India has continued to use the medical delivery system for its own benefit. Formulation of an alternative health care delivery system must rectify the distortions in the present system. The new system must meet the people's needs.