In what should come as an eye opener to the UT Administration, a survey conducted has revealed that the health centres in Chandigarh lack basic amenities like drinking water, and electricity connection.
Despite UT Administration’s claims on improvement in health sector here, the health centres including primary to sub-centres has failed to effectively implement the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a flagship programme by the Centre to revamp the basic health care delivery system. A study was recently undertaken by Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Centre (CRRID) to assess the progress in health policy, health systems and health care services under the NRHM at different levels (from sub-centres to hospitals) in Chandigarh.
Exposing tall claims of UT Administration on improvement in health facilities here, the survey has revealed that essential drugs are not available due to slow purchase process of UT except for maternal health services. The report pointed out that the schemes under NRHM have not been implemented effectively in the union territory of Chandigarh. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) payments are pending since January 2013 as beneficiaries are unable to provide Aadhar enabled bank accounts.
“Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) facilities are not available at the district hospital, Government Multi Specialty Hospital-Sector16 here. In the absence of prescription audits, it is difficult to enforce rational prescription of drugs and diagnostic procedures here,” added the report.
“Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) contractual staff is not paid salary since February 2013. DOT providers have not been paid honorarium since January 2013,” revealed the survey. During the survey, it was found that electricity connection, toilet and drinking water supply are problems in Mouli sub centres. In Industrial area, Civil Dispensary lacks water cooler, water filters and inverter facilities.
The report stated that availability of health care services needs additional attention in the city in view of substantial slum dwelling (around 10 percent), disadvantaged rural population (2.75 percent), influx of referral and specialized health care from areas outside Chandigarh and finally for about 10.55 lakh usual residents.
As per the report, a number of health centres among the existing three tertiary care (super specialty) hospitals, two community health centres, one polyclinic, four alternative medical units and 16 sub centres were surveyed.
While talking to The Pioneer, Aswini Kumar Nanda, Professor and Director, Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Sector 19 here said, “The survey was aimed at quality evaluation of enabling environment for better flow of services from the health facilities in terms of specific indicators outlined in Chandigarh’s project implementation plan (PIP).” He said, “Some sub centres in periphery areas do not have basic amenities. Besides, the workers functioning in such centres have not been paid honorarium since several months.”
When contacted, UT Home-cum-Health Secretary Anil Kumar said, “We have not received the survey report yet. After receiving the report, we would examine it and look into the problems pointed out by it.”