Action plan to ensure better delivery of doorstep health services

The Health department is drawing up an action plan as part of the government’s scheme to eliminate extreme poverty so that doorstep healthcare services are ensured for those families categorised as extremely poor.

For a month from September 28, health workers will visit the houses of those categorised as extremely poor and offer blood tests as well as medical services. Directives have been issued that the service protocols have to be followed strictly, Health Minister, Veena George, said in a statement here on Saturday.

Complete blood count, RBS, blood urea/serum creatinine, SGOT/SGPT, lipid profile and Hbs are the blood tests that would be done aftyer collecting blood samples from homes.

Follow-up care would be offered to those who require it. Care coordinators would be deployed in health centres to ensure proper follow up.

Arrangements would be made with the help of related departments for transporting pregnant women to hospitals for delivery and for taking those from tribal colonies to hospitals in case they need medical assistance. Health volunteers may be engaged as hospital companions with the help of the respective local bodies.

Special priority will be given for the care of pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses, bedridden patients, malnourished children, the elderly and and those with disabilities.

Health workers will visit the homes of the extremely poor once every month and they would be offered medical care by including them in various free treatment schemes of the government.