In a collaborative effort, Jeroen De Man (Institute of Tropical Medicine) and Bheemaray Manganavar (Institute of Public Health) took under the loop the Block Programme Managers in Karnataka, supported by Arupa Das, Bart Criel, and N. Devadasan, they recently published their findings under the title: “The Profile and Job Perceptions of Block Programme Managers in Karnataka”.
Abstract
Objective:
To understand BPMs profile, their roles and responsibilities as well as their performance
Design:
This descriptive study provides first insights on who BPMs are, what they do, and what they perceive as barriers to their well-functioning. Data were collected through a semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire from 117 BPMs of Karnataka. Seventy four percent of the contacted BPMs responded.
Result:
Their average age was 30.4 years, 85% was male, and 88.8% had a Master in Business Administration. Self-reported performance and perceived ability is high. BPMs report low salary, lack of cooperation from higher level and field staff, lack of training, lack of logistic support and lack of authority as important barriers to their work.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that the BPMs require capacity building and supportive supervision with regular feedback to improve their performance. We encourage more research on this important element of NRHM. To know more about article titled,” The Profile and Job Perceptions of Block Programme Managers in Karnataka”Click here
The Times of India carried an opinion piece by Dr. Upendra Bhojani of Institute of Public Health and Dr. Werner Soors of Institute of Tropical Medicine on situation of nursing and midwifery in India. They were quoted in stories that appeared in Times of India as part of their coverage following the International Nurse Day.
Institute of Public Health jointly addressed a press conference along with the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) and Red Cross Society.
All the speakers urged the empowered group of ministers (EGOM) and centre to pass a strong road safety law at the earliest. While doing so they shared their experiences from different perspectives Noted Spine Surgeon Dr. Subodh Shetty shared the physical emotional as well as financial burden that road crash survivors face drawing from his experience in private and government practice. Dr. Kripa Alva, head of KSCPCR spoke about the importance of paying particular attention to child safety issues and also shared the letter she had sent to Mr. Yoonus Khan Chairman of the EGOM. Whereas Mr. S Ashok Kumar Shetty, the General Secretary of the Karnataka chapter of the Red Cross spoke on post crash issues and importance of spreading awareness among children and youth. Dr. Pragati Hebbar, Advocacy Officer, IPH moderated the discussion and spoke from a public health perspective giving the data on Karnataka and Bengaluru specific statistics.
Links to some of the coverage of the press conference.
01. The Times of India,
Make stronger laws for road safety, child rights and health experts urge govt
IPH, Urban Health Team is working since last six years to improve quality of care for the residents of KG Halli, ward number 30. We have conducted baseline census in 2009 and follow up survey in 2013. The findings from this study and the challenges faced by the poor people in the community to manage chronic disease (Diabetes, HYpertension, etc.,) is featured in the news paper article.
This is one of the findings of a six-year survey in Kadugondanahalli
Yasmin (45), who lives in a crowded colony in Kadugondanahalli (K.G. Halli), had to have her leg amputated due to uncontrolled diabetes. The reason: she was not regular with medicines for years due to ignorance about the possible complications that could arise.
Her neighbour Husseinbi (60) has been suffering from hypertension for 12 years. She spends anywhere between Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 every month on medicines. Her husband is an auto driver.
For people from low-income families suffering diseases like hypertension and diabetes, a major component of their income goes to buying medicines. A study by the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Bengaluru, shows that many choose to forgo treatment, going to the doctor only when complications arise. The study has been published in BMC Public Health, an open access peer-reviewed journal. It covered patients in K.G. Halli from 2009 to 2015.
IPH Preventive Health Project- conducted screening in collaboration with SHCI and San Engineering Locomotive Ltd.
On 20th APril, 2016, IPH in collaboration with Sarvagna Health Care Institute and San Engineering Locomotive Ltd, conducted screening for diabetes and hypertension at Parijatha School, BM Layout, KG Halli.
head of KSCPCR spoke about the importance of paying particular attention to child safety issues and also shared the letter she had sent to Mr. Yoonus Khan Chairman of the EGOM. Whereas Mr. S Ashok Kumar Shetty, the General Secretary of the Karnataka chapter of the Red Cross spoke on post crash issues and importance of spreading awareness among children and youth. Dr. Pragati Hebbar, Advocacy Officer, IPH moderated the discussion and spoke from a public health perspective giving the data on Karnataka and Bengaluru specific statistics.
