52 women VHWs were trained as part of the initiative
The Extension Department of Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad has trained 52 Village Health Workers (VHW) for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) care. Women from rural backgrounds with minimal schooling are imparted clinical skills like counting respiratory rate, identifying signs of respiratory distress, using a peak flow meter, counselling for breathing techniques and exercises for relieving breathlessness, exercises for relieving sputum, etc.
The training was given under the SPARSH (Shree Krishna Hospital Programme for Advancement of Rural and Social Health) programme. SPARSH is the latest initiative in Community Extension – a unique homecare Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) care model. It aims to strengthen a three-tier healthcare system by connecting virtually at all tiers through android application and is operational in 90 villages across three districts (Anand, Kheda and Panchmahal). It is jointly sponsored by GMM Pfaudler in 60 villages and Shamdasani Foundation in 30 villages. Through the programme, non-communicable conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cardio vascular diseases, and others are addressed at the community level. It provides early screening and treatment at the doorstep, thus reducing the burden of complications caused by these chronic diseases.
Dr Shyamsundar Raithatha, Head, Extension Department, “To tackle the shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas, we need to look beyond doctors, to people who are living in these remote communities. And as a part of SPARSH programme, the curative role of the VHWs have been strengthened and clinical training of COPD care was imparted to them. VHWs are trained in the treatment, management, and referral of a wide variety of clinical and public health problems. All VHWs are women, many of whom are from marginalised tribes with little to no formal education. However, all VHWs are well respected and highly knowledgeable regarding the needs of their communities.”
After imparting training for COPD care, all VHWs are assessed for these skills with the same rigour as for medical students. They are using these skills to educate patients in their villages who enroll under the SPARSH programme. In SPARSH programme. 800 patients are enrolled for hypertension, diabetic and cancer diseases in the first phase.