HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 71 have stood in the way of implementing some of the well-thought-out plans. In the major part of the report, which he calls a ten-point programme, he has discussed in detail every aspect that has to be kept in mind while formulating any new health policy. He starts with the target groups and goes on to describe the correct emphasis on preventive and promotive aspects, the choice of technology. Due emphasis is given to the use of appropriate agents of health care, from the community, involvement of the community and importance of educational aspects. There is a fairly detailed description of the infrastructure to be developed and the scope for research in the field. He makes an appeal for a nationwide debate on the subject of health care and the setting up of a group to prepare a draft sixth plan of health care service in India. Finally, he discusses some of the difficulties in the development of these programmes, the important ones being the vested interest of the professional groups and the lack of public opinion. He concludes that the ultimate decisions in health care are essentially political. The paper can be considered a very valuable and practical guideline for the implementation of a health programme aimed at making health care available to all, without sacrificing quality at the ^Central5 level. In his paper, Prof. Banerji first describes the political dimensions of health status and the health services of a community and the alternatives in health services under different political systems. He also has summarized the developments in health services in India. In his "Thoughts on Perspective for Formulating an Alternative", his emphasis is on a political system that actively encourages involvement of the entire population in the development and implementation of health services. This is an essential prerequisite for setting up any meaningful alternative health care system in India. He stresses the need for the democratization of the political system which will subordinate medical technology to the interests of the community. He however does not rule out the need for research even in the present set-up, for trying out specific alternative programmes for immediate action. Prof. Banerji's paper is thought-provoking and useful to anyone genuinely interested in finding an alternative health delivery system. The third paper in the book is a report, popularly known as the Shrivastava Committee report. The report is an effort to formulate a concrete programme for immediate action in the fields of health services and medical education. The first part deals with the general principles governing an alternate strategy, aimed at