In good health: DDHO’s to take on greater responsibilities

Decision has been taken to address deficiencies in health care system

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government ordered deputy district health officers (DDHOs) to responsibly manage affairs of primary health care facilities across the province.

A formal notification was issued from the office of K-P secretary for health in which he highlighted  specific terms of references (TORs) for the DDHOs. This was stated in an official statement issued by the health department on Sunday.

As per the TORs mentioned in the notification, the DDHOs will have to visit the facilities in their respective districts at least once in every two months. They will also have to take prompt action in case of deficiencies at these institutes.

In addition, the DDHOs shall ensure the availability of stocks, human resources, equipment, and infrastructure and also monitor annual development schemes.

The notification stated said the DDHOs will submit reports to district health officers in case of deficiencies in the buildings or equipment. They will prepare an annual budget for the facilities in their respective districts.

The notification also said the DDHO will work within the overall framework of the district health system and under the supervision of the district health officer. They will be assisted by a public health care coordinator to frame monthly medicines distribution plans and to monitor developmental projects and proposals.

These proposals are prepared for renovation and maintenance of facilities.

“The independent monitoring unit of the health department will develop a proper monitoring checklist for DDHOs. This will enable them to have a systematic assessment and also develop proposal for monitoring applications on their smart phones,” the statement added. In case the officers are unavailable, the public health coordinator or any other officer deemed appropriate will oversee the responsibility.

The document also said the provincial government recently delegated sufficient financial powers to district health mangers so they would able to remove deficiencies in health facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2016.