(IPHS) Guidelines - NRHM Manipur

PrefaceStandards are a means of describing a level of quality that the health care organizations areexpected to meet or aspire to achieve. For the first time under National Rural Health Mission(NRHM), an effort had been made to develop Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for a vastnetwork of peripheral public health institutions in the country and the first set of standards wasreleased in early 2007 to provide optimal specialized care to the community and achieve andmaintain an acceptable standard of quality of care.The IPHS for Community Health Centres has been revised keeping in view the resourcesavailable with respect to functional requirements for a Community Health Centre with minimum standards forsuch as building, manpower, instruments and equipment, drugs and other facilities etc. The revised IPHS hasalso incorporated the changed protocols of the existing health programmes and new programmes and initiativesespecially in respect of Non-Communicable Diseases. The task of revision was completed as a result of consultationsheld over many months with task force members, programme officers, Regional Directors of Health and FamilyWelfare, experts, health functionaries, representatives of Non-Government organizations, development partnersand State/Union Territory Government representatives after reaching a consensus. The contribution of all of themis well appreciated. Several innovative approaches have been incorporated in the management process to ensurecommunity and Panchayati Raj Institutions’ involvement and accountability.Under the revised IPHS, CHC serves as a First Referral Unit, Block level Administrative Unit and Block level PublicHealth Unit. This document prescribes the essential requirements for a minimum functional grade of a CommunityHealth Centre and the desirable requirements needed for an ideal situation.Setting standards is a dynamic process and this document is not an end in itself. Further revision of the standardsshall be undertaken as and when the Community Health Centres will achieve a minimum functional grade. Itis hoped that this document will be of immense help to the States/Union Territories and other stakeholders inbringing up the Community Health Centres to the level of Indian Public Health Standards.(Dr. Jagdish Prasad)