A study conducted of the sickle-cell anaemia patients among the Chettys in Wayanad district of Kerala exposes the failure of public action in healthcare. It emphasises the need for sustainable care of these patients, which can be made available only if panchayats take an active interest. But the sick get less support from the panchayats and mainstream political parties. This is also a reflection of the present crisis in the public healthcare system of Kerala, which is characterised by poor quality and falling utilisation rates.
