Engaging Communities in Health and Wellness Centre Activities

Problem Statement

To make Comprehensive Primary Health Care services available close to community, Health Wellness Centres are being established under Ayushman Bharat, by transforming Health Sub Centres (SCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Local communities need to be engaged actively in HWC’s activities, for better awareness of services available, and their participation in Health Promotion.

Programme Description

During the initial process of establishing HWCs, an awareness Programme is conducted at village level, in every HWC on a pre-fixed day. The community members, elected representatives, are invited. Information is shared and discussions are held on various issues, such as;

• Rationale for HWCs –changes in disease pattern and need for comprehensive primary health care and importance of wellness activities such as Yoga,
• Role of CHOs, their qualification, the 6 months training, etc.,
• Inter-sectoral Coordination and Convergence with NREGS, PHED, Social Welfare, PRI, etc.,
• Potential areas for role of community; maintaining clean hospitals, counseling resistant families for accessing health services like immunization, and in ensuring safety of staffs and facility,
• Services under HWCs particularly on the NCDs – screening for Hypertension, Diabetes and Common Cancers (oral, Breast & cervical), and Referral Facilities. Initially the teams from state conducted Programmes in each village, later districts and Blocks themselves conducted them.

Programme Outcomes

Awareness Programmes were held in 27 villages, in 1st phase, and in 58 facilities in 2nd phase, with a participation of 30 to 80 people. These Programmes helped in building communication and team spirit with community, and in creating ownership of the HWCs, in the community. This initiative helped in monitoring of ongoing infrastructural development works, giving feedback to concerned MOs, and CMO of the district, and help in timely completion & operationalization of the facility. Uptake of healthcare services increased, esp. regular check-ups for NCDs increased.

Scalability

All components are already integrated into HWC model, requiring additional sensitization and orientation of PHC teams.

Financial Implications

No separate budget was available. Expenditures were made from the IEC funds under HWCs.

Implementing Partners

Manipur Govt., Jhpiego, RRC.

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