PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS Sample Clauses

PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS. Private Practitioners are a major provider of health care in India, particularly of out-patient care. They were partners in the CLICS project which has engaged in building their capacities and developing and refining their technical skills. An initial training needs assessment was undertaken and training in technical interventions and quality assurance were identified as key areas requiring capacity for private practitioners. After an initial orientation to CLICS, IMNCI training was conducted to ensure appropriate care of newborns and infants. They were also trained in quality assurance and use of quality checklists for clinics. These checklists are displayed in their clinics. The final evaluation team conducted a focus group discussion (FGD) with a group of private practitioners to discuss their current and future role in CLICS. All of them were non-allopathic practitioners and belonged to Indian system of medicine, namely, Ayurveda and Homeopathy. On average, each private practitioner was given training for over 33 days. They found their training useful in helping to improve their technical skills in newborn and infant health care and raised their standing in the community. They appreciated CLICS interventions and were willing to continue with CLICS services and play a role in providing services as envisaged. Although CLICS has done well in supporting and supervising activities at the community level, the question remains about how well program activities will be carried out as the DCM withdraws. In addition to ownership exhibited by the community as mentioned above, there is also support for and strengthening of capacities of the PHC and sub-center staff. They feel and demonstrate a closer association with the community and the monthly BSDs have been institutionalized, providing the ANMs a forum to provide promotive, preventive, and curative MCH services.