ANM- 3 Keys to Understand ANM and AP Health

Health is the born right of human beings, and in this regard, in India, much is being done for its huge population. Two central things are the ANM and the Andhra Pradesh Health Department. This blog will explain in detail these two important aspects of the Indian healthcare system, focusing on what they do, why, and how.

ANM: The Most Important Foundation of Primary Health Care

1- What is ANM?

Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM): A trained health professional who acts as the first contact of the community to the healthcare system. This is an escort for the primary care of the woman, the children, and the aged. Most of the health programs are also carried out by them, at the national level, particularly in rural and remote areas.

2- Training and Their Responsibilities

The two years in the diploma program give ANMs training in midwifery, community health nursing, health promotion, and maternity and child health. A person thus trained can undergo the following roles.

• Maternal and Child Health Services: ANMs provide pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care services. They assist in safe deliveries either in hospitals or at homes and ensure that both mother and child are healthy.
• Immunization and Vaccination: They implement immunization programs. They give vaccines to children and pregnant women and protect them from preventable diseases.
• Health Education: They educate the community about hygiene, nutrition, family planning, and disease prevention. This is very important in raising awareness and promoting healthy practices among the population.
• Disease Surveillance: They identify and report cases of communicable diseases. This surveillance helps in early detection and control of outbreaks.
• Family Planning Services: They counsel and distribute condoms and pills, manage population growth, and improve maternal health.

3-ANMs in Rural Health

Rural areas have no healthcare infrastructure or manpower. They fill this gap by providing healthcare to the community. Their role is not limited to clinical work; they are also community mobilizers who encourage people to seek medical help when needed. ANMs are the backbone of rural health and have contributed a lot to the health outcomes in underserved areas.

AP Health Initiatives: Holistic Healthcare

(a)-AP Health Department

The health providing department to its population is AP Health Department. The health department has several health initiatives, policies, and programs that relate with public health. These include preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative health services.

(b)-Key Programs and Initiatives

• Dr. YSR Aarogyasri Scheme: One of the major health programs in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. YSR Aarogyasri Scheme provides financial cover to below-poverty-line families. It covers major surgeries and treatments so that quality health care is available to all without any financial burden.
• Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs): These facilities have been set up in both rural and urban parts of the state. PHCs provide essential health services pertaining to maternal and child health, immunization, and treatment of common ailments. ANMs work in these centers along with doctors and other health staff.
• Family Welfare Programs: Department of Health, Andhra Pradesh promotes reproductive health through family planning and child health services at various family welfare programs. The backbone at the grass-root level in these programs consists of ANMs.
• Telemedicine and eHealth Initiatives: The state has embraced telemedicine and eHealth services in its quest to further enhance access to healthcare services. Patients from remote corners can consult specialists with the aid of digitized platforms. The aim is to minimize travel and facilitate timely advice.
• COVID-19 Response: A response was the major activity undertaken by the Health Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Subsequently, mass testing, vaccination drives, and awareness campaigns were undertaken. ANMs were at the front line, leading this effort by undertaking door-to-door surveys, administration of vaccines, and educating the public on measures for safety.

(c)-Connections with ANMs

They are the backbone of Andhra Pradesh’s health programs. They are more in touch with the community and can, therefore, carry out the programs relating to state health more effectively. In liaison with other health professionals, they ensure that services reach the remotest corners of the state. Their involvement in public health programs, immunization drives, and maternal care services has resulted in better health outcomes.

ANM and AP Health Initiatives Impact

(1)-Maternal and Child Health

Along with the AP Health Department, the ANMs have transformed the face of maternity and child health. Due to safe deliveries and extensive vaccination campaigns with nutrition education, maternal and newborn death rates have come down. Teaching the mothers prenatal and postnatal care by the ANMs leads to safer births and healthier pregnancies.

(2)-Wider Application of Healthcare

PHCs and ANMs are responsible for providing health services among the poorest rural areas. Today, where people had to drive long distances to seek medical care, now access to those essential services reaches their doorstep. It has thus been easier to detect and treat diseases early and avoid complications, thereby attaining improved health.

(3)-Awareness of Public Health

The health of the state and ANMs have contributed a lot in awareness related to public health. Educated communities regarding cleanliness and hygiene about the prevention of certain sicknesses and diseases have managed to clean the surroundings. This awareness has helped in healthy living and stopped the infectious disease to spread.

(4)- Empowerment of Women

ANM program -The ANM initiative has ensured that women have avenues for employment and means by which they can serve their communities. The society considers the ANMs out of great respect since they are health professionals. The work empowers women as contributors in the health of the community, thus giving a voice for themselves.

Conclusion

ANMs and AP Health are the backbone of the health system working together to improve the health of the people. They have made a big impact in providing primary health services, health education, and state health programs. Let’s continue to support and strengthen these initiatives and AP will have quality health for all and a healthier and prosperous society.

Disclaimer

In this article, information related to a particular topic has been collected from various sources such as newspapers, the internet magazines, etc. whose purpose is only to increase the knowledge of the readers and to disseminate the said information to them and not to guarantee the accuracy of any particular topic. Health Alpha does not take any responsibility for any such information.

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