PPP Strategy Delivering in Health Sector
Arunachal Pradesh government handed over the management of 16 primary health centers (PHCs) to different non-profit organizations under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative in January 2006. This is one of the best pilot projects under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) so far. Efforts of the State Government as well as the support of New Delhi, particularly union ministry of health & family welfare in this novel venture are quite praiseworthy. Most of the PPP run PHCs have been doing better than the government-run PHCs in respective districts. Of course, performance of different NGOs also differs although the grant-in-aid is equal for all PHCs. It is common knowledge that there is no dearth of fund for country’s health sector; but the effective utilization of funds holds the key to providing better healthcare in far-flung and backward areas.

The government has also been contemplating to handover CHCs and district hospital to NGOs; especially to organizations of national importance like Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI). In fact, institutions like Ramakrishan Mission and VHAI have proved that non-profit sector can provide better health service whether it’s in Capital or rural Arunachal. The management strategies adopted by VHAI in running five PHCs have attracted significant attention at government, academia and community levels. Although PPP is an emerging strategy, but VHAI-run PHCs have been able to provide appreciable healthcare in given situations that too with higher patient satisfaction. Many are amazed to find that besides providing services, VHAI encourages the community to demand better healthcare, whenever there is any deficiency at PHC and Sub Centers. VHAI’s Chief Executive Alok Mukhopadhyay deserves kudos for improving health care delivery system in remote PHCs for other to emulate.

It’s high time both for the Government and NGOs to maintain the momentum gained so far. NGOs must ensure that the Doctors and staff remain present in duty stations, as the ruling government has cautioned that absenteeism would not be tolerated. Moreover, timely supply of essential drugs, effective immunization and   institutional delivery must be achieved in all NGO-run PHC areas by the end of NRHM in the year 2012. The state government should not shift the doctors from backward PHCs to mini towns without replacement, as the people of rural areas are badly in of need health services and the PPP project are doing yeoman’s service in this regard. That was why Health Minister C.C. Singpho had categorically sought the cooperation of the members on the floor of the house not to interfere in transfer and posting of doctors. It will be prudent to further assess the functioning of PPP in the health sector in eastern zone and incorporate remedies to fulfil the rural aspirations.