Access to good medical services at the district level has been a problem plaguing many areas of Jharkhand for the past few years. With specialist services being concentrated in metros, district hospitals often face a shortage of talent and adequate infrastructure to cater to many problems of the community. Swaniti Initiative, in collaboration with the district administration of Ramgarh, has been working tirelessly to ensure last-mile delivery of healthcare services across Jharkhand. Specifically, in order to overcome the perennial problem of lack of talent, Swaniti Initiative has managed to mobilize funds and talent services through innovative small scale interventions, leading to an increase in the number of trained medical personnel on the ground.
Ramgarh has been highly affected by mining activities and thus needs a higher level of healthcare interventions. Through a mix of community consultations, visits to hospitals and interactions with government departments, the Swaniti team identified gaps in the public health system in Ramgarh. Through our initial on-ground surveys and extensive stakeholder consultations, it was found that there were 50% vacant positions for specialist services in district hospitals. Further, an acute shortage of equipment for conducting major surgeries and non-availability of blood banks hindered the hospitalisation and medical services the district hospital could offer.
In order to correct these systemic issues, Swaniti Initiative took strategic steps to better utilise and allocate DMFT funds towards the purchase of relevant medical equipment and renovation of the district hospital and the installation of a blood bank. In addition to this, a recruitment drive was carried out to onboard specialists, medical officers and ANMs. Through the program, 7 specialist doctors were hired, who, with access to proper equipment for conducting major surgeries have carried out over 854 minor and 49 major surgeries in the past year. All interventions are funded through the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMF-T), set up under section 9B of the MMDR Act 2015 to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations.
Sandeep Singh, DC, Ramgarh further adds, “The district of Ramgarh has benefited tremendously through these initiatives. Through capacity and infrastructure augmentation in PHC/CHC/District hospital, we have ensured that all medical facilities are available at the local level and that undue referrals to higher-level hospitals shouldn’t be there. We now have seen more cases being taken up at local hospitals and a significant drop in referrals to outside district hospitals because people are being treated easily in the district hospital themselves. The assessment was immensely helpful for us and we are glad to have the team on board”
The interventions have now enabled residents of the Ramgarh district to access healthcare services. According to data collected from the district hospital, there has been a 90% decrease in the number of cases referred to the state hospital and a higher level of satisfaction and trust in medical services amongst residents.