SHILLONG, April 24: The Meghalaya government has taken an innovative approach in implementing the Pradhan Mantri- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), a centrally sponsored scheme under National Health Mission that aims to strengthen the public health infrastructure across all levels.
The approach adopted by the government involves empowering Village Health Councils (VHCs) and fostering a sense of ownership amongst communities. The VHCs have been allocated subcentre construction works instead of contractors, which enables them to take charge of their own health infrastructure projects.
The formation of VHCs across the state has been envisioned as a community institution that will aid in mobilizing action on health and nutrition issues and serve as a critical link between the state health systems and community members.
The VHC general body comprises of the male and female heads of all households while the executive committee is composed of 10-20 elected members from the village. ASHAs, Agandwadi workers and teachers are permanent members of the VHC.
The key roles of the VHCs are to generate demand for healthcare services, to create a sense of ownership by the community, to lead awareness campaigns, facilitate local problem-solving, and implementation of health infrastructure projects.
All new constructions are to be done through the VHCs under the guidance of the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) office with technical support from the Health Engineering Wing (HEW) and junior engineers.
Ramkumar S, Mission Director, NHM, highlighted the benefits of involving the community in assessment, construction, and maintenance, which promotes ownership, encourages public health service use, and fosters health-seeking behaviour amongst the people.
Babu P Thongni, Executive Member, Japung VHC, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have a sub-centre in their village and to have the ability to construct it themselves. He recalled few of the challenges in the past where community members had to carry pregnant women on bamboo stretchers and walked for a couple of hours to reach the health facility.
During the year 2022-23, the creation of 75 new subcentres has been identified to be implemented under PM-ABHIM and executed by the respective VHCs.
A team of engineers and community building associates under the Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project (MHSSP) has been engaged to support the implementation process of the scheme. SELCO Foundation has been engaged as a design partner for technical assistance in the built environment and design aspect of the construction of the Sub Health Centres.
“Agropather village has been deprived of healthcare facilities due to poor road connections and transportation, leaving our community with no option but to depend on traditional healers for medical needs,” Prainter Momin, Headman of Agropather village, North Garo Hills.
“The new sub-centre will play a crucial role in catering to cases such as complications during pregnancy, childbirth and overall health and wellbeing of the community. We hope that this new facility will be a lifesaver for our village and neighbouring villages.”
