HOLISTIC APPROACH TO RURAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY – ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Rural health and wellness form the foundation of India’s economic progress, social stability, and human development. Despite major strides in healthcare delivery, rural areas continue to suffer from inadequate infrastructure, shortage of doctors, lack of sanitation, malnutrition, and poor maternal and child health indicators. This paper analyses the importance of holistic health and wellness in rural areas in the 21st century, with emphasis on primary healthcare centres, skilled manpower, sanitation, maternal care, nutrition, accessibility through all-weather roads, preventive healthcare, and effective governance through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Government initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat, Har Ghar Nal Yojana, and Mission Bhagiratha are evaluated for their impact. Issues such as child marriage, old age care, and increasing dependency on Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) are also discussed. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for strengthening rural health systems through community participation, preventive measures, and integration of technology.