VHAI Arunoday Project – a Journey of Partnership & Innovation
Arunachal Pradesh government handed over the management of five, almost dysfunctional, Primary Health Centres to VHAI in January 2006 under the Public Non-Profit Partnership (PPP) initiative. On 31st March 2009, it has completed three years & three months project-period of managing five PHCs and ten Sub Centres in Arunachal Pradesh. VHAI added collective-responsibility and accountability to partnership to ensure a successful PHC management. All the VHAI-managed PHCs have significantly improved in their functioning. Besides curative services these PHCs also focus on preventive medicines and organize various outreach activities.
Decentralized planning, promoting team spirit amongst the staff, responsible supervision, timely supply of drugs and pro-poor approach are some of the underlying principles of the project. VHAI-managed PHCs have been through out accountable to the Government and the community members.
This change as well as the progressive approach has been noted by the government officers, public leaders and local community. Looking at the good results in the health status of the covered population, the state government has now decided to hand over the management of Community Health Centres cum First Referral Units to VHAI.
Government of Arunachal Pradesh, on 25th July 2009, asked VHAI to take over the management of Deomali Community Health Centre (CHC) w.e.f. 1st August 2009 that was quite dysfunctional. Prior to VHAI’s takeover the situation in CHC was just horrible, from healthcare-delivery point of view, although NRHM provided needed materials to CHC which were hardly utilized by the staff. VHAI has been able to make the following units of CHC operational, however, more work need to be done in OT and X-Ray which will be completed in few weeks period.
• CASUALTY
• REGISTRATION
• PHARMACY
• OPD - 1
• DENTAL UNIT
• LABOUR ROOM
• OPD - 2
• DUTY ROOM
• OPERATION THEATER
• OPD -3
• IMMUNIZATION UNIT
• EYE OPD
• MEDICAL STORE
• WARD – 2
• X-RAY
• WARD – 1
• LABORATORY
• DRESSING ROOM
• KITCHEN
• HOMEOPATHY OPD
VHAI has put adequate staff in CHC that includes five MBBS-qualified fulltime Medical Officers and a Dental Surgeon.
Moreover, five part-time Specialists also treat the patients in VHAI Deomali CHC every week whose frequency of visit would increase once the CHC becomes a full-fledged First Referral Unit (FRU).
These specialists are from a variety of disciplines like General-Medicine, Gynecology, Pediatrics, General-Surgery and Ophthalmology.
Now the services are available in 24x7 manner and the patients’ strength have increased significantly since August, 2009. Given below is the OPD statistics, however, there are improvements in all areas like Emergency, Indoor, Labour Room, etc.
Some of the Key Activities of the Project Arunoday during the year 2008-09 have been:
In order to address the various aspects of social determinants of health – awareness has been generated amongst the community members to demand quality healthcare that should match with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). PHC Management Committees have been playing a vital role in this facet. The VHAI managed PHC staff provides services in a 24x7 manner and in case of complicated cases, referral is made to hospitals.
Promotion of traditional medicine in the PHC districts in an integrated manner with other systems of medicine - Two projects have been initiated in Thrizino and Gensi PHC areas. These projects focus on empowering the Local Health Service Providers (LHSPs), who are otherwise known as Traditional Healers.
HIV/AIDS Control - Three Targeted Intervention Projects are implemented with the support of Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) to help control HIV/AIDS, mainly among the High Risk Groups. Besides other activities, condom social marketing and needle-syringe exchange programs have become quite popular amongst different stakeholders at Itanagar, Aalo and Daporijo towns.
Training to a large number of ASHAs on different modules of NRHM as well as in Malaria Control.
“I am quite impressed with the good work that VHAI has been in Arunachal Pradesh since few years. It deserves a great deal of appreciation for the dedication and professionalism demonstrated in managing PHCs, imparting training to ASHA and PRI leaders and contributing to HIV/AIDS control."
C.C. Singpho
Minister, Food and Civil Supplies,
Health and Family Welfare
Government of Arunachal Pradesh
Shri Doke, ASM Chairperson informed the House that people of Gensi area have benefited a lot due to VHAI’s proper management of PHC and Sub Centers under PPP project. District Family Welfare Officer mentioned that the health delivery system has improved significantly since VHAI’s takeover.
Deputy Commissioner endorsed the positive views of members and agreed with the need of PPP project extension beyond the year 2008. All members of the committee requested the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Government of India to extend the PPP project of VHAI-managed Gensi PHC, so that, people of Gensi area and staff would be more benefited.
