Amravati DAPCU shares a few experiences

Success of DAPCU is depending on the coordination of the DAPCU team with the Health System

DAPCU Amravati established on 20^th February 2009. On that day DAPCU team was seated near the administrative office in a corner of the store but today the DAPCU not only has sufficient but more than sufficient space. DAPCU Amravati has a special cabin for DPO/DPM, DS/DIS and Accountant with the two separate chambers for M&E and Office Assistant. Also the DAPCU have two store room and one big room for meetings. We are telling you this to to express about how small we began and how in time we grew along with the district hospital because we worked so closely with them.

DAPCUs working in close collaboration with the District Health Systems can significantly enhance the reach and sustainability of HIV services. It is equally important that the DAPCUs contribute their experience and expertise to the health systems. A few examples of how DAPCU Amravati supported various initiatives at the district hospital.

Renovation of the Amravati District Hospital

District Hospital Amravati

The DAPCUs in Maharashtra are led by the Civil Surgeon, who is also in charge of the district hospitals, Sub District Hospitals and Rural Hospital. The most of the facilities like ICTC, DSRC, ART, Link ART are in under the Civil Surgeon. The DAPCU in Amravati has been working in close association with the DACO/CS and overtime has discussed the need for an array of renovation needs of the hospital.  The hospital was established in 1928 and despite the excellent quality of construction there were evident need for upgrading electrical and drainage facilities along with other renovation work. The DAPCU was able to identify a grant available for the same, and the CS/DACO assigned the responsibility of suggesting necessary renovations within the hospital. The DAPCU and the team surveyed the same and provided critical suggestions to the DACO/CS who was then able to propose the requirements to the PWD.  In July 2010 the hospital renovation took place and changes were made in parking spaces, empty patches with overgrown shrubs were cleared and paved and major drainage and electrical problems were fixed. In addition to the above basic operational requirements like cupboards, notice boards etc were provided to different departments and similar support was extended to the HIV related facilities which are hosted on a single floor of the DH. 

Procurement of Walk in Cooler

DAPCUs also have a significant role in the supply chain management in the district. The DAPCU also experienced the need for walk in coolers for storage of kits and consumables. This need was discussed in the DAPCC and the DAPCU was asked to support the development of a proposal for the same. This proposal was then put forward by the Amravati District Hospital to the State Health Department, State Blood Transfusion Council and MSACS. The grant for the same was sanctioned through the SBTC and currently the district level stock of HIV test kits and drugs needing refrigeration are stored in it.

Relocation of NACP Facilities within the DH to ensure effective referrals and coordination

After the establishment of DAPCU in Amravati, the team observed that the HIV facilities hosted by the DH were on different floors. They felt that better coordination between facilities and maturity of referrals could be achieved if all services were on the same floor. The team discussed the same with the hospital administration they were able to achieve this under the leadership of their DACO.

Mobilization of resources for display material

Corridor of  HIV facilities - with IEC material display

The DAPCU through its interaction with various clubs in the district came to the understanding that many clubs receive funds for health related activities. The Giants Group of Amravati was looking for avenues to support work on health but had a mandate to ensure that any activity it supported should provide some visibility to the club for the next few years. The DAPCU was able to identify the potential in this opportunity and worked on an idea to develop IEC display material for HIV services at the District Hospital.

The DAPCU in discussion with different facilities realised that many people visiting NACP facilities at the district hospital were already familiar with the IEC display material that was available at the sub district level. The DAPCU team thought of displaying new material at the DH. In order to ensure that content and messaging of the materials was accurate, the team first studied IEC display material from different states and shortlisted close 40 posters which would suit the context of Amravati. 20 of these were finalised in consultation with MSACS and re printed with logos on NACO MSACS and acknowledging the support of Giants club of Amravati to it. This display was mounted along the corridor which hosted HIV facilities at the District Hospital. An advantage of the display prepared by the DAPCU was that the posters in the frame can be changed as per requirement.

Details of individuals you can contact for further information.

• Dr. D.D. Raut M.O. No.9423433701, E-mail csamravati@rediffmail.com (Civil Surgeon/DACO)
• Dr. C.L. Sonkusare Mo. No. 9226727325, E-mail dr.clsonkusare@gmail.com (Ex- Civil Surgeon)
• Dr. V.V. Jadhav       Mo. No. 9763599173, E-mail dr.vilasjadhav@gmail.com (Nodal Officer, ART)
• Ajay E. Sakhare Mo. No. 9421820869, 0721-2551965, 2663337 (Extn. 153),Fax-07212552110 (DPO/DPM) E-mail ajay.sakhare@rediffmail.com, dpoamravati@rediffmail.com, dapcuamravati@gmail.com.