On the direction of National Health System Resource Centre (NHRC) the state government has initiated the plan to improve the rural health services across the state by developing all 188 Community Health Centre (CHC) into First Referral Unit (FRU) reducing dependency on higher centre. A special orientation programme regarding this ambitious project was organised on Monday by NHRC, New Delhi in which districts health units were also involved.

Unlike a standard Community Health Centre, a FRU provides round-the-clock emergency services. Its operationalization will enable the provision of facilities for complicated deliveries and Caesarean sections at the rural level itself. There will no longer be a need to refer patients directly to large district hospitals or RIMS for newborn care and emergency medical services. Basic facilities for blood storage or transfusion are also.

Being ensured at these centres. In the first phase, 20 selected CHCs will be developed as ‘model FRUs the and the experience gained from these will guide the phased transformation of the remaining 168 health centres. Talking to TGC Dr Pushpa, State Nodal Officer for the maternal health cell, said that in the first phase all selected community health centres would be prepared in accordance with Indian.

Public Health Standards norms (IPHS). This involves upgrading infrastructure, doctor availability, medicines, availability caesarean facility and medical equipment by 50% .