All 188 CHCs of State to be upgraded into First Referral Units

PNS

Ranchi

In a major push to strengthen healthcare services in rural areas, the Jharkhand Health Department has decided to upgrade all 188 Community Health Centres (CHCs) across the state into First Referral Units (FRUs). As part of the initiative, 20 CHCs will be developed on a priority basis in the first phase.

To facilitate the implementation of the ambitious project, the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi, conducted a special online orientation programme on Monday.

State Nodal Officer for the Maternal Health Cell, Dr. Pushpa, said all selected health centres would be upgraded in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). Infrastructure, availability of doctors, medicines and medical equipment at these facilities will be enhanced from the current 50 per cent level to nearly 80 per cent, enabling them to function as fully operational FRUs.

National Health Mission (NHM) Jharkhand Campaign Director Shashi Prakash Jha has directed officials to undertake a comprehensive gap analysis of the selected centres to identify deficiencies in manpower and infrastructure. Based on the findings, necessary improvements will be made to prepare the facilities for national certification.

Officials said Civil Surgeons, District Programme Management Units, Medical Officers-in-Charge and Block Health Management teams will play a crucial role in implementing the project. Detailed guidelines were issued to them during the orientation programme.

State IEC Nodal Officer Dr. Rahul Kishore Singh said FRUs provide round-the-clock emergency services, unlike ordinary CHCs. Once operational, these centres will be equipped to handle complicated deliveries and Caesarean sections at the rural level itself.

The upgraded units will also offer newborn care and emergency medical services, reducing the need to refer patients to district hospitals or the state-run tertiary care institute, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences. Basic blood storage and blood transfusion facilities will also be ensured at these centres.

The first 20 CHCs will be developed as model FRUs, and the experience gained from their implementation will guide the phased transformation of the remaining 168 centres. The initiative is expected to significantly improve access to emergency healthcare in remote areas and contribute to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates across the state.