Pune-based institute to implement innovative health initiative for slum-dwellers
The programme, with a special focus on women and children, is meant to provide diagnostic, preventive, and curative services
The Institute of Health Management Pachod (IHMP), Pune, will launch an “Integrated health program” on January 6 for the most vulnerable sections of people residing in 121 slums in Pune (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad (PCMC).
The programme, with a special focus on women and children, is meant to provide diagnostic, preventive, and curative services.
The CSR (corporate social responsibility) health initiative, supported by Bajaj Finserv, will be inaugurated by K H Govinda Raj, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, Maharashtra .
It also aims to demonstrate a model that can be replicated by the state government for slum populations in various cities of Maharashtra, Dr Ashok Dyalchand, Director IHMP, told sources.
The initiative will have 7 distinct interventions – executed by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who will assess health needs every month through house visits, using a digital app designed by IHMP.
Apart from accompanying patients for referral services, ASHAs will also actively link them with Urban PHCs run by the corporation, or to slum-level clinic and Mobile Medical Units (MMUs).
There will be one MMU for every 50 slum areas, with each unit having a doctor, nurse, and laboratory technician to provide the services covered under the health initiative.
