Sreya Susan Vaidyan

UM4000-2

Public Health

With a large network of public and private health care in Ahmedabad, the health status of the state is still not satisfactory. Major reasons being the socio-economic and cultural diversity, and the differences in the quality of services available to the heterogeneous crowd and the unaffordability for the poor sectors. The rise in the migrant population puts a lot of tension on the limited public health care services. The objective of this study is to understand the nature, magnitude and complexities in the public health system of Ahmedabad, the sixth largest mega city with a population of 6.3 million. The study focuses on Sabarmati ward and its health status, by analyzing the existing health care facilities. 


Report Content

The overall objective of Indian public health standards is to provide health care that is, quality oriented and sensitive to the needs of the community. They have suggested essential treatment and associated services for medical care, maternal and child health care including family planning, health promotion in schools, promotion of safe drinking water and basic sanitation, basic laboratory and diagnostic services.

Health Organogram

The civic affairs of the city including the medical services, dispensaries and referral hospitals are governed by AMC. Public health facilities and services to the population of a city is the responsibility of any corporation authority.

Allotting adjacent work areas for ASHA workers can help in better community participation and facilitate an empowered role for the ASHA. Her services could be utilized more efficiently when there is more community participation.

Issues identified during field visits and interaction are not reviewed and tracked at any level. There must be a documented mechanism of feedback and feed forward for issues identified during the supervisory visits.

Along with the monthly supervisions, there has to be an assessment for the work performance of the anganwadi as well as the worker. This is to encourage the worker to make the center better in performance, as she is ranked on her performances as well. This could be a healthy competition between the centers of the respective wards.

Taking ‘Kerosene Ni Chali’ as a study area to improve the present condition of the anganwadi.

Introducing a Convergence Action Plan: To empower the available human resources: A common platform where both the departments, ICDS and UHC, empower the Anganwadi and ASHA workers to converge their services.

The convergence shall be between the work coordination of ASHA and the anganwadi workers. This is to enhance the overall development of the ward by empowering the smallest unit/locality allocated to the ASHA workers.

Any citizen driven initiatives reach a level of success if guided by responsible leaders. Here by empowering the ASHA and anganwadi staffs, they will be more responsible in ensuring the services are provided well and the residents are involved in all practices to improve the community health as well.