The need and role of companions in outpatient health trips in India: Altruism and activity support

Pages:345-352
Arnab Jana and Noboru Harata (Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan)

Outpatient health trips in India, are often undertaken by a group of people rather than independently. The formation of such groups is not only due to the urgency of illness, but also owing to several anticipated complexities and barriers, and companionship is an adaptation strategy to counter such impedances. Under the supply constraints and inequality of services, coupled with irregularities of public transportation system and design barriers, the study estimated models to elaborate the role and necessity of companions. The implication of this research is three fold; firstly it elaborates on the vitality of the companions during health trips countering several constraints, secondly, the significant effects of various impedance of accessibility can be identified for policy evaluation and thirdly, the humanitarian service of the community especially during the people in need. This paper tries to highlight the need for seamless accessibility for the ill to the health facility, such that people are independent in their health activity and choice. Companionship in terms of altruism explains the cohesiveness between members, while, companionship driven by dependency elucidates inaccessibility and delay.