The Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued orders to constitute Health Development Societies (HDS) in the state which will take the responsibility of administration of the government hospitals and PHCs within their jurisdiction. The objective of the move is to ensure efficient functioning of health institutions and effective delivery of health services to the people.
The state minister for Medical and Health Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao formally released the new GO Ms No 90 in Vijayawada on Tuesday and expressed confidence that the hospitals and the primary health centres would be strengthened with the Societies taking charge. He said these Societies would be registered under the Societies Act and would function like a voluntary organization to develop the government hospitals and health institutions.
These Societies would be formed for the primary health centres and general hospitals, besides teaching hospitals and medical colleges in the government sector. Under the new GO 90, the government has ordered all the medical colleges, hospitals and health institutions to constitute Development Societies under the AP Societies Registration Act 2001and get themselves registered as non-profit bodies. Once registered, these Development Societies would form committees with the principals of the colleges, superintendents of hospitals and heads of other institutions as member-convenors. These committees would be formed for three years and send the particulars to the Registrar of Societies. Besides planning for the development of the hospitals, the Societies would monitor the performance of the doctors and other staff. The Societies would also introduce and collect user charges from the people and use the amount for the further development of the hospitals.
The Minister said that the new Societies would be empowered to supervise the activities from the primary health centre to the teaching hospital and take immediate steps to provide better medicare. The Health Development Society would utilise the funds to undertake maintenance and provide basic amenities and essential services, including sanitation, and biomedical waste disposal. It would approve proposals for civil works and purchase major equipment including essential drugs, consumables and medicines.
The Society will review the performance indicators and district health action plans and ensure proper recording of case-sheets. The Society will also maintain proper account books and oversee and ensure regular attendance and proper discharge of duties by all the staff.
The Minister said that the government would recover the loss caused by the negligence or administrative or financial impropriety of the Society. Dr Rao said that all decisions taken by the Society would be considered on merit and in a transparent manner. The District Collector or a senior medical officer would be appointed chairman to the Society. The local MP, three MLAs, the Mayor, ZP chairperson, prominent citizens and persons from the medical fraternity would be appointed as members.
While the District Collector will head the District headquarters hospital, Unani, Ayurvedic, homoeopathic hospitals and District Public Health Development Societies, the local legislator will head the area hospital and the mandal president and sarpanches will head the PHC and the health sub-centre societies respectively.