Health and Wellness Centre Mentoring By Medical College in a Hilly District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Government of India has launched an ambitious programme – Ayushman Bharat for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Ayushman Bharat has two pillars, one being PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojna (PM-JAY) and the other Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (ABHWC). PM-JAY aims to provide financial protection for secondary and tertiary care and PM-HWC aims to achieve delivery of Universal Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Methodology: Mentoring hub was established at PSM department of IGMC Shimla. A pair of HWC-PHC and HWC-HSC was selected so that selected Subcentre falls under selected PHC. A team consisting of 1 Consultant, 1 SR, 1 JR from PSM was formed. The team conducted at least 1 visit every month and the team would cover 1 pair of HWCs in 1 visit. The MO PHC-HWC accompanied the team while visiting HWC HSC under that PHC.NHM provided list of 10 HWCs every year to be mentored by each of the MC in consultation with Distt. Reports were submitted to NHM for planning of strengthening of capacities of various primary health care teams across the state as and when required. Results: The team visited the 5 HWC HSCs and 5 HWC PHCs for consecutive 5 months. They interviewed the CHOs, ANMs, MPWs and Medical Officers on the basis of checklist. For evaluation of skills the hands-on was also conducted. The gaps were identified as High, Medium and Low. Corrective measures were identified and responsibility was fixed for the gap closure. The report was submitted to National Health Mission, H.P.