HHF sets up its 4th PHC in mosque after survey shows poor PHC

The PHC was set up on Tuesday after a survey conducted in five urban slums (bastis) revealed that primary care facilities are lacking, particularly at times when the common seasonal and vector-borne diseases are on the rise.

The NGO conducted a door-to-door survey of 550 households in Hasanagar division in Rajendra Nagar mandal to assess the health status of people and to check if health services were adequate.

It found that around 70 per cent of the respondents said that access to primary care in their basti needs to improve. They said doctors at the basti dawakhana should be available for a larger part of the day as by the time the out-patients (OP) hospitals close, many don't get a chance to avail the services.

The same group of respondents said at a time when every other house has adults and children sick with viral fever, cold, and cough, getting access to timely treatment and medicine is very vital. Around 65% said they are forced to go to private clinics in the basti that open mainly after 3 p.m and run till midnight. Although these clinics charge Rs. 50 to Rs. 100, most prescribe medicine and tests that cost Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 per visit.

Due to tight financial position and loss of income, 55% of the respondents, who have two or more children, said they can only afford medication for one child and they normally share the same medicine between other siblings if all of them fall sick.

In view of the need to bridge the gap and to provide free and high-quality primary care health services, HHF set up a PHC in Masjid e Adam-alyhisalam in Hasanagar. The health center was formally opened to the public on Tuesday by Mazharuddin Hussaini, the executive director of SEED, USA, HHF's partner in this program.

This unique model of providing free and quality primary health care from masjids has benefited 1.15 lakh patients this year alone and resulted in savings of Rs. 5.75 crores in out-of-pocket expenses, HHF said.

New PHC to cater to 50,000-70,000 people

The health center will cater to five bastis with over 10,000 households and a population of 50,000-70,000. It will have two doctors, three nurses, a dietician, three counsellors, a data-entry operator, an independent pharmacy, a dental chair, and NCD prevention and control desk.

The PHC will operate from 9.30 a.m to 4 p.m from Monday to Saturday. On Fridays, it will operate between 3 p.m and 9 p.m in view of the Friday prayer congregation at the mosque.

In view of the high incidence of vector-borne disease, special beds with IV stands and other equipment have been kept in place to treat children and others diagnosed with dengue.

"We have developed a deep understanding of the primary health care system in urban slums and our new center will bridge the gap in service delivery that will benefit the underprivileged in more than one way," said Mujtaba Hasan Askari of Helping Hand Foundation.