report of the workshop on 2nd october at YCMOU

The first workshop on Arogyabanks (AB) at YCMOU Nashik

In response to a month long invitation drive on emails and phone calls, 95 people attended this meeting at YCMOU, and with five of the school it makes a neat 100. Many could not attend, esp the commissioner Nashik, the DM Nashik, due to law &order work after the blasts in Malegan. ITDP and ZP CEO could not come. But Health committee chairman did make it with some delay due to other functions. MLAs could not come, and 2 MLCs could not come due to Ramjan Id
2 mahila bankers attended and structure design group was represented by one only one engineer.
The meeting started at 11 am, by remembering the mahatma and late Shastriji on this auspicious day. How Gandhi wanted to start programmes for training village doctors was shown in a slide.
Dr K Mohandas, director Srichitra Tirunal Institute spoke as a chief guest and hailed this concept as a path breaking one, destined to go down in annals of health care if it succeeds on a large scale. He also cautioned against the PPP, since often here is little response from one of the Ps and corporate world also may not come forth. However, he saw much hope for health care in the concept and promised support. His insightful comments were appreciated by many.
In the 40 min presentation--Marathi and English--dr shyam ashtekar from the school of Health Sciences YCMOU explained the concept, the players, role of the university, need and feasibility and the broad framework and the group work themes. This presentation will be available on our website ycmou.com and the arogyabank.blogspots.com.
Dr Rajan Welukar, VC, spoke in support of such models, and appealed to the participants to start ABs and stated that YCMOU will lend all possible support for this; YCMOU will itself make five such centers in the district. YCMOU will start a fund, contribute and get contributions for the activity. He appealed to make a good operational AB that govt can find acceptable and supportable.
This was followed by two short presentations-dr shashikant ahankari from HALO foundation, on village based health work in osmanabad and then by Ganesh Karajhede from CDAC pune about digital health infobanks prepared for NE states.
In the post lunch session, 4 sub themes were discussed in group work--legal issues, IT options, health deliverables and advocacy for Arogyabanks.
These sub theme-summaries were presented by Adv Mrinal Khairnar, Shri Sameer Sahastrabudhe, abhijit Muley and dr dhruv Mankad. Excerpts will be posted on the blogspot, but here is a very brief line on each:
Adv Mrinal Khairnar: medicine use by health workers can be treated as non-practice according to MMP act, however to avoid any trouble in future it would be better to make a comprehensive PIL for permitting such usage frontally and for a well defined list. (PIL for PILLs!)

Shri sameer Sahastrabudhe-IT comes eminently handy for AB, and locost hardware can be made available, programmes and alogorithms can be made available in a link from YCMOU-district-block-village through a point to point link. This is simple and free from misuse. Mobiles have some difficulty but can be used for limited purpose.

Dr Mankad on Health deliverables: health tasks and activities were discussed but hows were more important than whats. The group was very large and rich.

Advocacy for AB-by another AB (abhijit Muley from sakal): Advocacy to aimed at Grampanchayats and community, zilla prasishads, political parties and three depts-tribal, human development, and nrhm. He will bring out a pamphlet for AB dissemination.

The participants were enthused and energized with the creative concept which can deliver basic health care in villages with participation of people, NGOs, govt, the university.
Shri Krishnakant Bhoge, director Human development Mission brought in his long experience and wisdom to the gathering and helped in many ways to chisel the discussion. He insisted on informality in the formal structure He announced that 5 ABs will be launched in Jalna district with HDM efforts and funds soon.
(In the second day follow up meeting, study centers promised starting one AB each in their localities.)
YCMOU will start 5 ABs in Nashik district.

We all wish to start 100 AB in this financial year ending March 2009. Let this be a development pilot on ABs.

On the second day 30 members stayed on to discuss-here are the points:
We can start mobile ABs in some places
Group of padas can together start an AB
Govt can start AB in a health subcenter too.
Some hospitals can start info bank ABs in their premises
Nagpur MC has started a city health line, and one member called the healthline to find info. which was provided. This can be accessed by anyone from anywhere on a phone call.
Medicines supplies need to be of standard and fair price. LOCOST was mentioned as one source. For Ayurveda and Homeo, a good source is necessary--we will work on this. Some members can provide logistical support for this
The AB can work for convergence of many health providers and ideas in the village including local health resources/ideas
Some corporate hospitals/major NGO hospitals can start ABs in connected villages as goodwill centers, (rather than as feeders)
The 73-74th constitutional amendments are very useful for starting ABs in any village or urban ward
Nagarsevaks can start ABs in slum areas, there is great need.
ABs can be started as memorials
The name Arogyabank is new and apt, it is a package for may services and goods, and suggests an economic implication.
We need a logo, or multiple logos, of which one will be of YCMOU-AB
Need to link with good pvt parishioners, esp in Konkan. Also to avoid unfair practices by referral
The possibility of ASHA in rest of Maharashtra in the next year and can we link ABs to this possibility?
In non-ASHA blocks in the state, JSY and other schemes can be used for ABs.
MLA funds can be used under broad schemes
Modular training was available for upgrading from arogyamitra level.


Shyam ashtekar