Andhra Pradesh: Family Doctor system to reach rural areas

Vijayawada: The Principal Secretary to Medical & Health and Family Welfare, Krishna Babu in a video conference with district health officials and CHC staff said that the Family Doctor system was introduced so that medical services could reach the village level and most of the health-related problems could be addressed. 

He noted that the concept of the Family Physician was introduced by chief minister Jagan Reddy in order to bring a revolutionary change in the health care sector. He said, "The basic infrastructure required for the family physician is being provided. For each PHC, two health officials are being appointed and vacant posts shall be filled."

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The posts of super speciality doctors and para-medical staff would be filled. He observed that community health officers need to work with dedication. The YSR health clinics have helped in providing health care at the village secretariat level. The construction of all YSR village clinics would be completed by November end, reports the Deccan Chronicle. 

It was observed that 2 PHCs are being established in each Mandal and two doctors will be available in each PHC, and one would be taking care of the mobile unit and the other would be taking care of the PHC. Every clinic would have 87 different medicines and 14 medical tests could be done. Medicines and tests were already being carried out. Currently, there are 636 mobile vehicles and 454 vehicles will be purchased soon for this sector. 

Babu said that the villagers would be informed of the arrival of the mobile vehicle a day before, and those who require medical care would be alerted by MLHPs, ANMs and ASHA workers. Pregnant women, lactating mothers and others can visit the mobile unit. Further, it was noted that tests would be conducted for students in schools, and bedridden patients receiving treatment under Aarogyasri would get treatment from the mobile units. 

The others who were present at the event include Health commissioner J Nivas, APVVP commissioner Vinod Kumar, Aarogyasri COO Harisder Prasad, Health director Swarajya Lakshmi, NHM CEO Ganapathi Rao. 

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