The Hindu 20.04.2010
One health centre soon for every 50,000 population
Special Correspondent
| Delhi Govt. to raise incentives for ASHA health workers |
Bid to improve availability of quality health care to all citizens and in particular the poor
There will be mandatory involvement of the community in managing health centres
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet on Monday gave its nod for introduction of Public Health Standards for Primary Urban Health Centres (PUHC) in the Capital. As per the plan, for every 50,000 population, one such health care unit would be identified, strengthened and upgraded to a PUHC.
After the meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit informed the media that the public health standards for PUHCs have been approved to improve availability and access to quality health care for all citizens and in particular the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
While one unit would be upgraded for every 50,000 population, the figure would actually vary between 35,000 and 75,000 depending on the density of population in a given area. The PUHCs will provide the curative, preventive and promotive health care, basic lab services and referral services to the patients and there would be mandatory involvement of the community in managing and monitoring the health facility for ensuring its optimal performance.
Health Benchmarks
Ms. Dikshit said it was on August 14, 2006, that the Delhi Cabinet had decided to set up the Delhi State Health Mission on the guidelines from the Union Government under the National Rural Health Mission. The mandate of the Mission was to lay down benchmarks and standards for the primary and secondary health care and addressing issue of multiplicity of agencies.
As per this mandate, the Delhi Government has determined the public health standards which have been defined for provision of health services, laboratory services, convergence with related sectors, referral linkages, prevention and control of infection, behaviour change communication, capacity-building of staff, management of information, facility management, physical infrastructure and equipment, drugs and laboratory logistics and optimal facility management among other things.
The Chief Minister said as per a norm of one PUHC per 50,000 population, Delhi would need 350 PUHCs for an estimated population of 175 lakh. To achieve universal coverage, equitable distribution of available infrastructure and rationalization of staff would be required, she added.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has also approved the budget requirement for the scheme for 2010-11.
It has also decided to improve incentives for ASHA workers. Since they are paid through incentives for the work they do and the records suggest that there has been an increase in the number of children immunised, the overall registration of anti-natal women and registration in early pregnancy, institutional delivery and number of women receiving post-natal care, the Delhi Cabinet has decided to enhance the incentives.
