ANM Samwad

ANM Samvad

It was observed during field visits that basic skills of the nursing staffs were poor in the areas of ANC service, high risk pregnancy identifications and also records were not maintained properly

In order to strengthen skills and capacities of Nursing staffs, "ANM Samvad" is organized which innovatively uses technology for reaching to ANMs at negligible cost. 4 Samvads have been conducted with approx. 22000 health workers so far.

Ground situation

• National Health Mission aims at reducing the MMR and IMR along with provision of quality healthcare services. 
• Compromised quality of ANC services was being observed at the field level. 
• The findings revealed inadequate capacity of ANMs in conducting basic ANC examination and also incongruous record maintenance in the RCH register. 
• SIHFW skills assessment also highlights poor skills of ANMs.

Challenges

• Earlier orientations at CHC level was no so successful due to poor monitoring mechanism
• Training ANM through regular mechanism would take long time
• Orientation of master trainers on SDR preparation and its implementation at ground level – costly and time consuming

Solution – Brief

With a vision to enhance and improve the skills of ANM, boost their confidence and improve the quality of data “ANM Samvad” was planned and organised by the National Health Mission, Rajasthan.It was an IT based innovative interactive platform through which honourable Health Minister, Principal Health Secretary and Special Health Secretary & Mission Director NHM and state level officers interacted with total 21997 health workers including 20000 ANM’s & BCMOs/BPMs/MO I/Cs/LHVs of the state.This kind of innovation is first of its kind in the entire country where interaction of superiors with field staff, discussion of problem and finding of solution was done with the use of IT.

Methodology

Rajasthan state constitutes of 34 districts which are further divided into blocks making a total of 249 blocks in the state.

ANM Samvad is a video conferencing in which the health staff namely BCMO, MO, ANM and LHV participated from the district and block level at “ATAL SEVA KENDRA.”

Similarly from the state level interaction was done with honourable Health Minister, Principal Health Secretary and Mission Director NHM and state level officials.

As the state has a large health workforce it was difficult to interact with all at the same time. Hence the ANM Samvad was organised in 4 rounds ensuring that all the block participated in it.

The facilities in the blocks were randomly identified an divided into 4 batches and were informed of the dates and venue for their participation.

The health service providers of the block participated through the Atal Sewa Kendra (VC Kendra) located in their respective areas and at the state level the participation was through meeting hall of DM&HS..

Quality Maintain through

• Pre and post test for ANM who are attending ANM Samvad 
• Pre-designed Logo, Banner and attendant sheet at block level (VC)
• A quality video emphasising importance of ANC, how to do ANC, Importance of SDR, etc.
• Regular interaction by state health department with ANMs seated at block level
• One pager note for health workers about Dos & DON’Ts during Ante Natal Checkups

Participation in ANM Samvad

Samvad

No. of participants

1st Samvad51682nd Samvad59493rd Samvad4665 (attendance is less due to MI sessions & Arogya Rajasthan Camp)4th Samvad6215

Total Target

21997

Outcome

A zero investment project in which the government resources were optimally channelized

This novelty in the health care sector

A unanimous platform for interaction with senior authorities, demonstration of correct practices, discussion and clearing of doubts which arise during rendering of health services.

Interaction with the ANMs and LHVs after the VC clearly showed an increased level of confidence and commitment towards their duties and responsibilities, which itself proves the success of this innovation.

This being one of its kind initiatives in entire India, there is scarcity of literature over it. Hence further research and study is encouraged over it leading to development and improvisation