Latest news with #IndianPublicHealthStandards
Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
ICMR recommends tests for TB, hepatitis at PHCs: How will this improve public health?
From rapid diagnostic tests for Hepatitis B, point-of-care tests for thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, to sample collection for molecular testing for tuberculosis (TB) at the sub-centre level — the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has updated its National List of Essential Diagnostics with the aim of bringing clinical testing closer to people. The National List of Essential Diagnostics — first released in 2019 — is a list of all the tests that must be available at different levels of health facilities, such as sub-centres, primary health centres or district hospitals. One of the key changes in the second iteration of the list is the inclusion of several rapid diagnostic and biochemical tests at lower levels of health centres, keeping in mind the expanding infrastructure over the years. The government's healthcare delivery mechanism provides primary care through sub-centres, primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and community healthcare centres (CHCs), secondary care through sub-district hospitals, tertiary care through district hospitals and super-speciality care through medical colleges. Why was the list revised? 'In the six years since the first list was released, there have been significant changes. Take, for example, the government investing in semi-auto analyzers at the PHC level. This means the tests can be performed at the PHC itself, instead of the samples being sent to a higher centre for analysis in a hub-and-spoke model,' said Dr Kamini Walia, senior scientist at ICMR, who was behind the compilation of the list. 'There have also been changes to the Indian Public Health Standards and the Integrated Public Health Laboratory Standards, so it was a good idea to revisit the list,' she added What are the new tests in the 2025 list compared to the one released six years ago? Several rapid diagnostic tests that have been added include those for sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, Hepatitis B and syphilis at the sub-centre level. Many of these are priority diseases for the government. The new list also recommends collecting samples for dengue testing at the sub-centre level. Over the years, the spread of the mosquito-borne disease has expanded to all states of the country, making it a bigger public health challenge. Many of the blood tests — such as those to check for blood glucose levels, liver enzymes, and cholesterol — which could not be performed at the primary health centre level earlier, are now recommended at that level, with semi-auto analyzers (machines for conducting chemical and biological analysis of samples with minimal human intervention) becoming available. What do the new tests mean for public health? The updated list, once implemented, will have significant public health implications. Experts point out that the list has been updated keeping in view the ambitious targets set for specific diseases. For instance, the government runs a national mission aimed at eliminating sickle cell anaemia by 2047 by screening people and making them aware of whether they are carriers of the faulty gene. The mission also focusses on quick and accurate diagnosis of the disease and providing quality care to patients. The government runs the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, which focusses on reducing cases and deaths due to the various hepatitis infections. How this is likely to enhance sample collection for critical diseases at the sub-centre level The 2025 list recommends collecting samples for molecular TB testing right from the sub-centre level. For sub-centres and primary health centres, it recommends collecting sputum samples and sending them to a higher centre. From the community health centre level onwards, it recommends performing these tests in-house. This has been made possible due to the penetration of cost-effective molecular testing machines even in smaller centres during the pandemic. The country's National TB Elimination Programme recommends that molecular diagnosis become the first line of testing, instead of the less sensitive microscopy. The burden of the pathogen has to be much higher for it to test positive using microscopy, meaning the use of molecular tests can detect many more cases, including asymptomatic ones. It can also determine if a person is resistant to commonly used medicines. . The list calls for samples for sophisticated tests — such as HbA1c, which shows average blood glucose levels over a period of three months — to be collected at the PHC level and sent to a higher centre. The government has been focusing on controlling and caring for people with lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. At the CHC level, the new list has also added tests such as the TB skin test, which can detect the presence of the pathogen even in people who do not have an active infection. Dental X-rays have now been added at the CHC level. This is important, considering the government's goal of ensuring these tests are available at its centres. 'This list is important because it is implemented in the health centres under the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative, which ensures that these tests are available at all health centres and, in turn, reduces people's out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare,' said Dr Walia. In addition, the 2025 list has also merged the diagnostic lists for sub-district hospitals and district hospitals. This is because sub-district hospitals are being upgraded to district hospitals, while district hospitals are being upgraded to the level of medical colleges across the country, Dr Walia explained.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Booster Dose For Hirings At Arogya Centres In City
New Delhi: In a bid to fast-track staffing at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), Delhi govt has proposed a one-time age relaxation of up to 10 years for the recruitment of key healthcare personnel, including doctors. The appointments will be contractual and made under National Health Mission (NHM) norms, with fixed monthly salaries. Unlike mohalla clinics, where staff are paid based on the number of patients seen, AAM employees will receive structured remuneration. The proposal, which aims to expedite hiring amid a ticking funding deadline, has been sent to lieutenant governor VK Saxena for final approval. Officials said the move was likely to benefit many, especially existing mohalla clinic workers, by allowing them to apply for AAM positions if they meet the eligibility criteria. "Anyone who is qualified, whether currently working in a mohalla clinic or elsewhere, can apply. Appointments will be merit-based," said a senior health department official. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Under the Indian Public Health Standards, each AAM sub-centre is expected to have one medical officer, one pharmacist, and one multipurpose health worker (MHW). A staff nurse may be deployed in the MHW role if their qualification is ANM or higher. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo Sanitation and security services can be hired or outsourced. Currently, the maximum age limits for these positions are 45 years for medical officers and 30 years for pharmacists and MHWs. The proposed relaxation will allow candidates up to 55 years of age to be considered, significantly expanding the pool of eligible applicants. The urgency stems from the timeline of the centrally funded PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, under which AAMs sub-centres are being set up. The scheme, launched in 2021–22, focuses on preventive and wellness care and is funded until March 2026. After that, the financial responsibility is expected to shift to state govts unless extended by the Centre. Given the time required for recruitment and infrastructure rollout, officials say the relaxation is a necessary step to ensure AAMs are functional before the funding cycle ends. "This one-time provision is designed to speed up recruitment without compromising on quality," the official added. The initiative comes amid rising demand for decentralised, preventive healthcare across Delhi. If approved, the age relaxation could pave the way for thousands of experienced healthcare workers to transition into the new model of care delivery.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health dept restructures use of hospital revenues
Ranchi: The health department has introduced a set of guidelines to overhaul the management of govt hospitals and align public health services with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022. Under the new system, 25% of the earnings generated through claims under the insurance schemes will be distributed as incentives to doctors and support staff. The remaining 75% will be allocated for hospital operations, purchase of medicines and equipment, infrastructure maintenance and development, the guidelines said. The new guidelines also allow the govt healthcare institutions, including medical college hospitals, district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, referral hospitals, community health centres (CHCs), and primary health centres (PHCs) to directly use the revenue earned from health insurance schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana for their own development or share the revenue as incentives. As per the guidelines, in cases where hospitals avail services from external specialists or super-specialists, payments will be made from the 75% operational fund as per government-approved rates. Additional chief secretary (health), Ajoy Kumar Singh, "Additionally, hospitals are now empowered to recruit specialist doctors, technicians, nurses, and hospital managers from external sources using these funds, with district-level committees formed to oversee such appointments. These committees will be headed by the deputy commissioners, with the civil surgeons and deputy superintendents as members." For broader institutional efficiency, the govt has outlined an alternate allocation structure where 15% of the total earned amount is provided as incentives and the remaining 85% is utilised for operations, maintenance, procurement of medicines, consumables, and payments for specialist services. A special committee has also been constituted to manage the recruitment and service enhancement of medical colleges. The committee includes the director (medical education), principal of the medical college concerned, hospital superintendent, heads of department, and a joint or deputy secretary from the health department. The govt has set a clear financial target of an average monthly claim of Rs 50,000 per bed in all medical colleges and sadar hospitals within the next three years. "This ambitious goal is expected to drive improvements in service delivery and facilitate broader collaborations with private healthcare professionals," Ajoy Kumar Singh added.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Brand Bengaluru: 19 Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike hospitals set for upgrade at cost of Rs 413 crore
Bengaluru: Tenders are being called for upgrading 19 BBMP hospitals at an estimated cost of Rs 413 crore under Brand Bengaluru initiative. A detailed project report (DPR) for the proposal is in its final stages, said a senior BBMP official. "Once implemented, BBMP hospitals will be equipped to provide emergency care, general medicine, basic surgeries, and dental services to the public," said the official. As per Indian Public Health Standards (2022), urban community health centres are mandated to provide such services. However, until now, they were unavailable at 26 BBMP hospitals. This is the first time the Palike's health department proposed such an upgrade, starting with 19 hospitals. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Fourteen maternity hospitals will be upgraded to 30-bed facilities. Maternity wards will be redesigned, and labs will be established in all locations. Additional wards will be created based on space availability. Five community health centres will be converted into 50-bed hospitals. Modular operation theatres and required facilities will also be built for general surgery and emergency care, BBMP health officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra aparelhos auditivos de alta qualidade sem gastar um único cêntimo Aparelhos Auditivo PT Undo "Since implementing the entire plan at once is not feasible, we proposed a three-phase strategy. In the first phase, structurally weak hospital buildings will be demolished and rebuilt. In the second phase, existing buildings will be modernised. The third will focus on enhancing lab infrastructure, increasing bed capacity and providing essential equipment for surgery and emergency care," added the official. Suralkar Vikas Kishore, special commissioner (health), BBMP, said, "This is an ambitious plan to provide quality healthcare services in BBMP hospitals. The DPR will be completed soon. Subsequent steps will follow thereafter."
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu nurses want service of 7K regularised, stage stir
CHENNAI: The members of Tamil Nadu Nurses Empowerment Association staged a one-day dharna on Thursday, stressing on various demands, including regularisation of service of around 7,500 nurses. Speaking to TNIE, N Subin, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Nurses Empowerment Association, said the service of around 7,500 nurses who were recruited through Medical Services Recruitment Board (MSRB) in 2017 and 2019 has not been regularised. As per norms, nurses recruited through MSRB have to work on contract basis for two years before getting their service regularised. But, Subin said, despite the order, many nurses are still working on contract basis. He also said the health department has not implemented the Madras High Court order of equal pay and service benefits. While the regularised staff are paid around Rs 54,000 along with allowances, the contract nurses are getting just Rs 18,000 with allowance, Subin added. The nurses also demanded that permanent nursing posts should be created based on the recommendations of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) in tune with the number of patients.
