Institutionalizing Hospital Management Society/ (Rogi Kalyan Samiti)
With growing population and advancement in the medical technology and increasing expectation of people for quality health care, it has now become imperative to establish a system to render desired services. In the rural areas the secondary level care is provided through CHCs with specialist services of physicians, pediatricians, O & G Specialists & surgeons being made available.
However, these services have not been fully achieved due to paucity of resources, lack of accountability and non-involvement of community. Upgradation of CHCs to Indian Public Health Standards is a major strategic intervention under NRHM, the purpose of which is to provide sustainable quality care with accountability and people’s participation along with total transparency. However, there is a general apprehension that this may not be possible unless a system is evolved for ensuring a level of permanency and sustainability. This requires development of a proper management structure which is called as ‘Rogi Kalyan Samiti’( Health Management Society) as in other states which has high feasibility and is being replicated in Orissa.
Rogi Kalyan Samiti is a simple, yet effective management structure, which is a registered society, acting as a group of trustees for CHC/ hospitals/ to manage the affairs of the hospitals. It consists of members from local P.R.I., NGOs, local elected representatives and officials from Government Sector, who are responsible for proper functioning and management of hospitals/ CHCs/ FRUs. The RKS is free to prescribe, generate and use the funds placed with it, as per its best judgment for smooth functioning and maintaining the quality of services.
In the State 90% of the institutions have been registered and fund utilization has started. Many new innovations are taking place in health institutions through these funds. Sensitization of RKS members is also key to the smooth functioning of the RKS. In this regard a sensitization of RKS is currently being undertaken through a cascade model. District divided into five zones and key members have been sensitized, who in turn shall orient & sensitize the RKS functionaries. Fund requirement for the above is also being projected.
A number of RKS have developed an action plan and have also initiated expenditure. To provide greater ownership and enhance responsibility of the RKS the appointment and management of contractual paramedic in the district is beingprovided to the RKS.
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