HMRI, Sightsavers International and Government of Andhra Pradesh have come together under a public-private partnership (PPP) to augment healthcare delivery systems in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Under the partnership, HMRI has implemented a state-of-the-art 24x7 health helpline, serving the 80 million people of Andhra Pradesh. Taking the healthcare initiative further, the partnership has also launched 104 Mobile, also called the Fixed Day Health Service, to further expand the scope and delivery of healthcare in rural areas.
The advocacy initiatives of SIAO and the recent meeting on 8th June, 2009 with Dr L V Subramanyam (Prinicipal Secretary - Health and Family Welfare), Dr Mothilal Banothu (Joint Director- NPCB) and Dr A P Ranga Rao - Chief Advisor (HMRI) has resulted in addition of eye health component in training of HMRI (mobile van staff) across the state. Its our pleasure to state that Sigthsavers International has been recognized as a training partner for eye health by GoAP.
Some of the important decisions taken during the meeting were as follows:
1- Sightsavers is recognized as training partner for eye health component for rreparation of standardized training material and module. These modules will be used to train the 475 mobile van (one staff) of HMRI across the state and also to train the RMPs (as part of HMRI diploma course) recognized by AP Paramedic Board.
2- Sankar Foundation as one of the referral centre for Diabetic Retinopathy in Vizag region. As a result, Mr L V Subramanyam accepted our invitation to inaugurate the mobile DR van at Sankar Foundation on 12th June, 2009. Attended by all government ophthalmic functionaries from Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagram and Srikakulam district.
3- Principal Secretary proposed to conduct state level workshops/training for all cadres of ophthalmic personnel at Sankar Foundation in collaboration with Sightsavers International, NPCB and HMRI.
What is Fixed Day Health Scheme ?
The objective is to create a technology enabled comprehensive, once-a-month fixed day health service that will provide convergence of comprehensive services for the identification, screening, diagnosis, monitoring & treatment, record keeping and referral of high risk cases in each rural habitation beyond 3 kms of any health facility. It would strengthen the present fixed day services delivered in the habitation by bringing regularity, punctuality, integration, convergence and comprehensiveness using technology supported 475 mobile health units to cover 4 Cr. Population. HMRI was started by Satyam Foundation and it had 5 % stake in this NGO. Although, last quarte the 5% stake is bought by GVK.
The objective is to create a technology enabled comprehensive, once-a-month fixed day health service that will provide convergence of comprehensive services for the identification, screening, diagnosis, monitoring & treatment, record keeping and referral of high risk cases in each rural habitation beyond 3 kms of any health facility. It would strengthen the present fixed day services delivered in the habitation by bringing regularity, punctuality, integration, convergence and comprehensiveness using technology supported 475 mobile health units to cover 4 Cr. Population. HMRI was started by Satyam Foundation and it had 5 % stake in this NGO. Although, last quarte the 5% stake is bought by GVK.
If you have ideas / suggestions after this post, please write back to schooramani@sightsavers.org.
