Workshop on National Urban Health Mission held in Itanagar

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Special Secretary for Health & Family Welfare Dr Tapasya Raghav said that despite the supposed proximity of urban poor to urban health facilities their access to them is severely restricted owing to overcrowded health facilities, ineffective outreach, social exclusion, lack of awareness or financial barriers due to which various urban issues like full immunization, antenatal care (ANC) are difficult to achieve in urban areas.

These groups need to be identified to understand their specific health needs and challenges faced in accessing health services by conducting a baseline assessment of the vulnerabilities faced by the urban poor to effectively address their health concerns, Dr Raghav who is also the Mission Director of State National Health Mission said during a state level orientation workshop on National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) here yesterday. Further, inter-sectoral convergence and pro-active involvement of urban local bodies, community and NGOs is the need of the hour to strengthen the health delivery under NUHM, she said, an official release said here today. Emphasizing on the significance of expanding NUHM in the state, she said more districts may join under the ambit of NUHM by next year. At present, two districts – Papum Pare and East Siang are eligible for implementation of the NUHM programme.

Meanwhile, she categorically stated that the non-performing Mahila Arogya Samiti be removed from NUHM and maximum benefit should be percolated down to ground level by mobilizing the frontline workers. Earlier, NUHM nodal officer Dr R Dodum briefed about the objective of NUHM and said we need to strengthen the NUHM to achieve the goal of the flagship programme by providing urban poor with equitable access to health care, the release added.