Role of traditional healers and indigenous medical practitioners in health care.

Nearly three-fourth of the indigenous medical practitioners (74.37%) in the rural area of Agra were treating 15 patients in a day. Maximum number of patients was attended by trained practitioners. Only 21.82 percent of the practitioners were providing preventive services apart from curative services. Inspite of wide variations in level of training with consequent difference in knowledge, skills and practice, these practitioners still make a significant contribution to health care of the community provided they get some training of modern health system and state patronage. To start with, at least they should be given orientation towards vaccination as they are still giving tetanus toxoid only at the time of injury. In the same way training should be given regarding distribution of vitamin 'A' for prevention of night blindness and iron folic acid tablets for control of anaemia in vulnerable groups.