The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is committed to the substantial improvement of district hospitals under the National Health Mission. In pursuit of this goal, the government has undertaken a range of initiatives to elevate the performance and quality of services offered in these hospitals.
A significant aspect of this endeavor is the enhancement of healthcare facility infrastructure. This is being achieved through various programs, including Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres, now known as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, along with the Emergency COVID Response Package (ECRP) I & II, initiatives from the 15th Finance Commission, and the Prime Minister – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
Furthering the capacity development of healthcare professionals, district hospitals are being transformed into training hubs for nurses, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), paramedics, and for offering Diplomate National Board (DNB)/CPS courses for medical officers.
An innovative step in enhancing patient care is the integration of the “Mera Aspataal” app into the District Hospitals. This patient feedback system is a strategic move to ensure that the services provided are not only safe and patient-centric but also adhere to the quality levels as stipulated by the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification.
Recognizing the importance of data integrity in the assessment of hospital performance, there has been a focused effort to strengthen the Health Management and Information System (HMIS). This enhancement is crucial for accurate and reliable evaluation of the hospitals’ performance.
In a bid to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, the government has launched the Free Drugs Service Initiative and the Free Diagnostics Initiative under the National Health Mission (NHM). These initiatives aim to significantly reduce the Out of Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) for patients visiting public health facilities.
To further expand access to specialist healthcare services, the ministry has implemented tele-consultation services, such as e-Sanjeevani. This platform is pivotal in providing remote and timely medical consultation to patients.
The performance assessment of District Hospitals is driven by data from the HMIS. A collaborative effort between NITI Aayog and MoHFW has led to the formulation of 17 Key Performance Indicators that span across various domains including Structure, Process, Output, and Outcome. For the second round of assessment, a thorough data validation of HMIS-reported data against physical records is planned for about 10% of the total District Hospitals.
This comprehensive overview of the efforts to bolster district hospitals was provided by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, in a written statement in the Lok Sabha.