The State government has launched a unique initiative to bolster functioning of Anganwadi centres and health sub-centres and address nutrition and health related issues to bring down high maternal and infant mortality rates in the State.
Despite a strong workforce of over one lakh personnel comprising Anganwadi workers and helpers and another one lakh personnel working under the purview of sub-centres under the Health Department including ASHA workers, ANMs and others, AP figures among the States with high maternal and infant mortality rates and low literacy rate among women.
The Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department evolved a format to understand the ground realities in Anganwadi and health sub-centre through physical inspection of each centre at least once a month and submit their feed back by giving marks for the facilities, functioning of the centre, attendance of staff etc.
“Ït is a web-enabled inspection and every month 100 per cent sub-centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres will be visited and we get reports immediately from the field. This will prevent one from fudging figures as supervisors and next level officers would visit the premises regularly,” said Poonam Malakondaiah, Principal Secretary, Health and Medical and also in-charge of Department of Women, Children and Disabled.
Similarly all the 53,000 Anaganwadi centres will be visited 100 per cent in a month and reports filed through web-enabled inspection tools which would go online instantly for the State level officials to monitor them.
The inspection of Anganwadi centres started from May 15 and for health sub-centres in June. At the end of the month, district-wise reports would be ready for the Collectors to monitor them.
It is a web-enabled inspection and every month 100 per cent sub-centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres will be visited, and we will get reports immediately from the field.
Poonam Malakondaiah,
Principal Secretary (Health)
