Telangana: Now, midwives in Warangal can reach remote areas on scooters

In fact, performance and quality of health system in rural areas is significantly dependent on ANMs, who work as an interface between the community and public health system.

WARANGAL RURAL: With Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) playing a crucial role in  providing better health services in villages, Warangal rural district administration is making efforts to strengthen the system of these village-level health workers. The administration has been providing subsidised two-wheelers under health, medical and family welfare department’s scheme ‘Rekkalu’ (wings) to ANMs.  

Sources said that of the 243 ANMs working in 145 sub-centres under various Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in remote areas of the district, 189 have applied for two-wheelers under the scheme. Of them, about 18 have already received the vehicle. Under Rekkalu scheme, the department has been providing a subsidy of `10,000 while the vehicle showrooms have been offering discount besides a bank loan.

According to health officials, as a large number of ANMs do not stay in the village they work, they need to travel a lot, hence, two-wheelers would prove very useful. Two ANMs work under a centre, which covers a population of 5,000. Thus, each ANM covers two to three villages and administers vaccines to children and medicines to pregnant women. Moving from one village to another is a big problem for them. Hence, the district administration has decided to provide two-wheeler to them.

“ANMs are the first contact person between the community and the health services. Their services are important to provide safe and effective care to village communities. Hence, we have decided to strengthen their network. Providing two-wheelers is a part of the initiative. Two-wheelers would help the workers to reach interior villages fast,” M Haritha, Warangal rural district collector said.

In fact, performance and quality of health system in rural areas is significantly dependent on ANMs, who work as an interface between the community and public health system.

She is expected to perform a large number of diverse preventive and curative functions such as motivation for family planning, immunisation, conducting deliveries, and treatment for childhood illnesses.

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