CONCEPTUAL, INSPIRATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL
PERSPECTIVES, GUIDANCE.
Medical officer –Dr.Preethi.P.T.
Interview done by –Dr.Anand.P.M.
The PHC Purakkad is a very small Primary Health Centre in the coastal area of Alappuzha
district in Kerala. It has now acclaimed so many accreditations and awards from many
Organizations of the state and National level. Here is an interview with the Medical Officer
of PHC Purakkad, who is its backbone and an inspiring figure to the society.
Q.To begin with tell us about the institution.
It is a Primary Health Centre at PurakkadGramapanchayath, Ambalappuzha block which isin Alappuzha district.It is established in1974 and caters to about 14,520 people.Very soon this PHC will acquire the status of a Family Health Centre. Sixteen dedicated staff are serving in this institution which has eight fully furnished wards.
Q.Which are the renowned achievements ofPHCPurakkad?
In the year 2017 we bagged district level First place for ‘Kayakalp’ award for cleanliness and Fourth place (Commendation) in State Level with 95 % marks. In the same year we received KASH (Kerala Accreditation Standards for Hospitals), a mission to implement the Quality Standards in Health Care.We also stood First in Pollution Control Board Award in the year 2018 and National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) in the year 2019.
Q. Was this a sudden change?
No this was not at all a sudden change. It was actually a team work of all the staff. Complete devotion and hard work of hospital staff, field staff and ASHA workers brought about these changes. As we all know, a lot of programmes are conducted by government institutions. We, as a team started to work in all aspects to improve the quality of our work and through which to improve the quality of the institution.
Q. Was there any inspiring figures or institutions in the growth of this institution?
(Smiles) Once I happened to visit a General Hospital at Ernakulam in Kerala, as a part of Programme Management training. During this training programme Dr. Junaid Sir explained the changes that happened in GH Ernakulam. We had a great experience when we visited the hospital. We were so moved by the developments in GH Ernakulam. This experience really touched my heart and was a real inspiration for me.
Q. How did you get the idea of ‘Kayakalp’ etc. ?
Actually we got the news from twitter messages – ‘Swatch Bharath Abhiyan’ ‘Clean Hospitals and Green Hospitals’. When we presented this idea during the hospital staff meeting many were doubtful and some were reluctant to do extra work. But from the beginning itself one of the staffs – Hospital Attender Grade 2 gave full support and later on other staff also joined the team.
Q. How was your experience while performing those quality programmes?
It was a tough time at the beginning, as we were unaware about the documentation works for accreditation procedure. We got training and guidance from the District Quality Team. More over PHC Purakkad team had done good work in the RNTCP, MDA and other field activities, especially during Avian influenza epidemics etc. More over I had full confidence in my team and their activities.
Q. Please share with us your ‘Kayakalp’ experience.
During those times our PHC was not up to the mark. We had to do many things to beautify the PHC, such as painting, cleaning arranging and maintaining files etc. Whole heartedly all the staff worked together for the same. The staff helped in cleaning the compounds, making herbal gardens and other garden works too. Our ASHA workers also played a major role in this activities.
Q. How was the team work as a whole?
A single person cannot achieve this success. Efficient hardworking team is the core of this success that we achieved now. ‘Together Everyone Achieves More’ is what a TEAM all about.
Q. How did you reach the goal of NQAS?
Actually I got to know about the accreditations like KASH from District Quality Officer during her visit to our PHC. She advised me to go for accreditations. Also the Block PRO promoted the same. Before NQAS we got accredited by KASH (Kerala Accreditation Standards for Hospitals). First KASH accredited PHC in Alappuzha.During the final days of KASH programme the Quality Officer informed me about NQAS and send me the checklist for the same. Achieving NQAS was a difficult task. It required a lot of trainings, meetings and lot of documentation works. With all these efforts in 2019 we qualified NQAS with 96% marks.
Q. Is your PHC now a Family Health Centre?
Not yet, but the infrastructure work is completed. We hope that very soon our PHC will become a Family Health Centre which caters to the needs of the patients.
Q. How was the support and participation of Local Self Government and public in the
growth of this PHC?
Most of the patients were very supportive during the inspection days.Kudumbasree and NREG workers helped us a lot during this success journey. In this occasion I cannot forget the support offered by the LSGD members for all our activities.
Q. How did the department help in these programmes?
Our DMO and district team DPM supported us very much. Our institution and all the team members were appreciated for our achievement. I would like to quote the words of Paulo – “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” This was true about our PHC also. Even though from a coastal area, we passed through so many hurdles and won many awards. We have an uncountable number of well-wishers who gave suggestions, ideas and sponsored items for the growth and betterment of our institution. All the well-wisher’s, prayers and blessing is really the success story of PHC Purakkad.
Q. Now you have finished Family Medicine Course from CMC Vellore, how do you feel, as a Physician working in a PHC?
Being a Physician, I am so confident and proud to be a part of Family Medicine. The approach towards patients and the methods for tackling their problems has completely took a new phase now-a-days. Consultation Skills studies, actually helped me a lot in improving my outlook towards patients and their problems. Instead of just treating the disease, I consider the patient as a human being who has feelings, emotions and overall a loving family. This approach actually helps me to create a friendly bond with patientsas well as their family. My approach towards patients turned out to be a success, as they feel free to communicate with me and are always happy to consult their Family Physician when needed. As William Hazlitt said “A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” Happy patients and a happy physician makes a Family Health Centre a success. Thank you…
FAMILY MEDICINE & PRIMARY CARE
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