Maiden survey of health centres exposes gaps in service delivery

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16

The first survey on Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in Haryana has pointed out gaps in the service delivery. While at some places, in the absence of Medical Officers (MOs), the pharmacists, staff nurses or Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) were found prescribing medicines, there were centres where drug procurement and dispensing had become difficult in absence of pharmacists.

Prof Aswini Kumar Nanda and Associate Professor Rajesh Kumar Aggarwal of CRRID carried out the survey on the behalf of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The study found that in spite of the rising demand for diagnostic tests at the HWCs, most of them (Primary Health Centres (PHCs)/Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs)) were withoutregular technicians. The arrangement of part-time technicians did not fully meet the day-to-day demand.At some places, with onlyone ANM, Mid-level Health Providers expressed the need for a helper to facilitate the services.

“We have recently recruited a number of doctors so vacancies have been filled and we have sent the requisition for pharmacists and lab technicians. These posts will also be filled soon,” said Dr Suraj Bhan Kamboj, Director General Health Services (DGHS).

In Kaithal and Fatehabad, no Sub-Health Centre (SHC) was upgraded to HWC. Only PHCs and UPHCs were converted. So, there was no Mid-Level Health Providers in these districts.

The formation of Mahila Arogya Samiti for health awareness was not common in slums or slum-like settlements under the jurisdiction of most HWCs.

The non-availability of OPD slips meant to prescribe medicines was reported at Jaidhar SHC in Yamunanagar. There was no maintenance of building at Hafizpur SHC.

The quality of repair and upgrade work at Kaptan Majra HWC, Yamunanagar, seemed unsatisfactory to both staff and visiting patients.

The shortfall in receipt of iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets and paracetamol syrup was reported from Fatehabad HWCs. The children were often prescribed tablets instead of paracetamol syrup. All eight HWCs in Kaithal district were found without a MO.

Formed in 2019

• To ensure delivery of Comprehensive Primary Healthcare services, existing sub-centres covering a population of 3,000-5,000 were turned into Health and Wellness Centres in 2019
• The Population Research Centre at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh, assessed 20 HWCs in four districts — Kaithal, Yamunanagar, Ambala and Fatehabad — from January to March
• The study found that in spite of spacious and modern physical infrastructure, HWCs lacked medical, paramedical and other manpower, which acted as a constraint in the execution of healthcare services and outreach activities