Vulnerable Populations’ Access to Health Care: A study of the nomadic “Gypsy’ Narikuravars in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This article explores how the nomadic Narrikurovar, also know as the “Gypsy,” from Tamil Nadu India, access health care. The analysis is based on fifty-one open-ended, qualitative interviews conducted in early 2017, with Narikuravar women. This study differs from previous studies that explore how the poor, marginalized, and most vulnerable access health insurance in India by adding a new dimension: nomadism. Other work conducted with Romani (Gypsy) and nomadic communities concluded that these communities are reluctant to use state and private health care services. Our study concludes something very different. Not only did the Narrikurovar women in our study actively seek health care access, they were eager to use government provided health insurance schemes. However, due to their limited education, poverty and mobile life style, they received health care only in emergency situations, and often needed to pay for those services from their small earnings, which increased their financial burden. We recommend further detailed research with the Narikuravar community, so that we can understand which health challenges they face. Also, development of policies to enhance women’s education and employment is also a must. Such policies will translate into better access to health care as a basic human right.