NITI Aayog’s report: Chandigarh slips from top spot as report flags issues in health care indices

From base year (2014-15) when city was no. 1, it slips to second (2015-16) after issues in various health parameters found.

Chandigarh has performed “very poorly” in providing ante natal care, the health department has “failed” to start 24x7 primary health centres (PHCs) and it has highest vacant posts of medical officers when compared to other Union Territories. These are some of the deficiencies highlighted in the NITI Aayog’s Healthy States, Progressive India report.

Chandigarh also reported a negative change in the health index score, which declined by 5.22 points over the time period. (HT file/Representative image)

The report ranks various states and Union Territories on various health indicators. According to the report, Chandigarh’s rank dipped from first to second in terms of overall performance. Chandigarh fell by one position in the rankings from 57.49 in base year (2014-15) to 52.27 in reference year (2015-16).

Based on the score for reference year, there are theree categories for UTs: aspirants, achievers, and front-runners. Chandigarh and three other UTs have been grouped as achievers with significant room for improvement.

Chandigarh also reported a negative change in the health index score, which declined by 5.22 points over the time period.

Chandigarh is yet to operationalise a single 24x7 PHC, which as per the report is “important for providing a basic package of health services to the community.

Poor performance in ante natal care

The city also performed very poorly on first trimester Ante Natal Care (ANC) registration that fell from 50% in the base year to 37% in the reference year.

“The indicators where almost all UTs need to focus, include filling vacancies of medical officers at PHCs and specialists at district hospitals, establishment of functional first referral units, 24X7 PHCs, and district cardiac care units, CHC grading, quality accreditation of public health facilities, and institutionalisation of human resources management information system,” mentions the report.

It mentions that when it comes to health outcomes, all UTs, except Chandigarh and Daman and Diu, have improved their performance from base year to reference year.

29% vacant positions of ANMs

The report mentions in Chandigarh 29% positions for Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) were vacant between the base year (2014-15) and reference year (2015-16). ANM is the village-level female health worker and is usually the first contact person between the community and the health services.

Highest vacant posts of medical officers

Among the UTs, Chandigarh has the highest proportion of vacant medical officer positions at PHCs (69%), followed by Andaman & Nicobar (36%) with no reduction from base to reference year.

Failure to start 24x7 PHCs

Chandigarh is yet to operationalise a single 24x7 PHC, which as per the report is “important for providing a basic package of health services to the community and for reducing the workload at higher level facilities.”

The report mentions that Chandigarh does not have a single district with functional critical care units (CCUs) in public hospitals. Among UTs, only Delhi and Lakshadweep have the required number of CCUs. However, the city has achieved 100% registration of births and over 90% institutional deliveries (public and private).

Dr G Dewan, director, health services, Chandigarh, said, “After I took charge as director few months ago, all these national health programmes are being monitored closely. Meetings are being conducted regularly and Chandigarh needs to be number 1.”