The Asian region has witnessed considerable changes in recent years. Improved economic conditions in its countries have led to improvements in the living standards of the people. In some countries, development -planners have sought improvements not only -in economic conditions but also in social development and the quality of life of the people. These issues had been neglected until very recently by development planners and their governments.
Health should be considered a basic human right, regardless of social, economic, and political status. Moreover, the level of health of a country´s population has demonstrable consequences for social and economic development. Economic development does not automatically solve health problems. Health policy and health care should form an integral part of any national development -plan, and governments should take specific steps to improve the health of the people. To date, however, millions of people in Asia have lacked access to good health care.
Inclusion of health care in national development plans will not solve this problem unless health care policy is properly implemented. Medical personnel must be numerous, competent, and committed enough to assume this important responsibility.
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