Basti Dawakhana

Problem Statement

Poor health status of the urban poor and lack of access to urban primary health centres due to distance from slums, unsuitable OPD timings and less number of UPHCs, resulting in health care seeking at private facilities by urban poor.

Programme Description

“Basti Dawkhanas” meaning “health facility” for a small area caters to a population of 10,000. These are set in slums where the UPHC is located at a distance of over 3 kms. Staff includes a Medical Officer, a Staff Nurse and a Support Staff. Apart from outreach services, Basti Dawakhanas offer Consultation, Diagnostics and Medicines, all free to the end-user. All the medicines available at UPHC are available at Basti Dawakhana and procured through online indenting system. 53 diagnostic tests, including point of care tests and diagnostics through hub and spoke model, with hub at Telangana Diagnostic Services (in house) are available. An online digital module for recording OPD cases is used by MO. Telemedicine facility is available for consultation with specialists from Osmania, Gandhi General Hospitals and MNJ Cancer Hospital at 20 Basti Dawakhanas.

Programme Outcomes

115 Basti Dawkhanas are functional, with an average OPD of 100 per day per facility.

Scalability

The model has well defined components, a fixed financial requirement and has been able to demonstrate positive outcomes. The key components of the model are amenable to scaling up, particularly since it has been implemented within the ambit of the Government Health System, and through convergence with existing systems.

Implementation Partners

This is an initiative of Government of Telangana with active convergence between the Departments of Health, Municipal Administration and Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA). Tata Trust is a partner for telemedicine services.

Financial Implications

• Funding through NHM-The cost per Basti Dawakhana is as follows:
• Renovation – Rs. 7 lakhs.
• Equipment – Rs. 1.30 lakhs.
• Remuneration (per annum) – Rs. 7.8 lakhs.
• Medicines (per annum) – Rs. 5.6 lakhs.
• Diagnostics (per annum) – Rs. 2.00 lakhs.
• Untied funds (per annum) – Rs. 0.50 lakhs. 

Source : We Care Coffee Table Book - Good, Replicable and Innovative Practices 2019