Maharashtra Boosts Grassroots Healthcare

Beginning next month, Maharashtra will implement the Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) training program across the state. This initiative by the Public Health Department aims to enhance grassroots healthcare services, thereby lessening the burden of diseases and alleviating pressure on secondary and tertiary hospitals. The CPHC focuses on crucial aspects like disease prevention, early detection, continuous patient care, and efficient referral systems, intending to reduce overall healthcare costs.

The year-long training program, which commenced with a statewide workshop in Pune on February 20, will systematically train all healthcare personnel. This includes ASHA workers at the village level, medical officers, and doctors. Key health services under CPHC encompass maternal and child health, immunization, family planning, and managing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Developed by the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare (SIHFW), Maharashtra, the training modules will be refined based on feedback from the initial workshop. Training of trainers is scheduled from March 1 to 15, followed by district-level training starting in April. This program is expected to lead to earlier disease diagnosis, improved health awareness, and more accessible, affordable healthcare for all citizens, primarily delivered via Health and Wellness Centres.