Andhra Pradesh government is going to launch a new Family Doctor Scheme for its citizens. AP state govt. is already implementing Family Doctor pilot project in Chittoor and Tirupati districts. Family Doctor project is being implemented with the aim of improving health services particularly among rural population.

AP Family Doctor Scheme 2023 Launch

Family Doctor Scheme will be implemented on a full-scale basis from Sankranti festival in January 2023. Family Doctor project aims to provide better healthcare to people living in villages.

AP Family Doctor Pilot Project

  • In Chittoor district, the Family Doctor project has been set in motion in all 31 mandals, covering 48 primary healthcare centres (PHCs).
  • In Tirupati district, pilot project of Family Doctor Scheme has been launched in 33 villages.
  • Authorities will study the results of Family Doctor project currently under implementation on pilot basis and rectify its shortcomings.
  • The concept of family doctor scheme is going to transform rural healthcare with starting of YSR Village Health Clinics (YVHCs). Is is expected that all YSR Clinics will be ready by December 2022.

About YSR Village Health Clinics (YVHC)

  • AP state govt. will transform existing sub-centres in villages and an additional 250 sub-centres into YVHCs.
  • Each YVHC will cover around 2,000 people in each village against the national average of one sub-centre for every 5,000 people.
  • Each YVHC clinic will be headed by a B.Sc. Nursing graduate designated as mid-level health provider who will be assisted by an ANM and a team of ASHA workers.
  • YVHCs will provide 14 types of tests and 67 types of medicines to people living within its area of operations.
  • Each clinic will also undertake disease control programmes, antenatal, postnatal, and other treatments.
  • Each mandal will have 2 PHCs. Each PHC will have two doctors, three nurses, pharmacist, lab technician and other staff.
  • The two doctors, along with a mobile medical unit, will visit villages to conduct general check-ups on vulnerable people at Anganwadi centres, schools and other places.
  • Besides this, doctors (with mobile medical unit) will reach out to doorsteps of patients having long-term illnesses.

Training Programme for Staff

To implement the Family Doctor Scheme, Health Department officials will conduct training programmes for staff at PHCs to train ASHA workers, MLHPs and ANMs. A 104 ambulance will visit every village twice a month to review the health of people in every village secretariat. Medical staff of the ambulance will diagnose and treat residents for minor illnesses like blood pressure and diabetes. Medical Staff will also disburse medicines required for the month.

Salient Features of Family Doctor Scheme in AP

  • As a part of the Family Doctor Scheme, a team of 2 doctors from Primary Health Centre (PHC) along with a mobile medical unit will be made available to look after health needs of people in ward and village sachivalayam.
  • The doctor will provide patient services for the residents of ward from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
  • Lunch breaks will be given from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.
  • Following the break, same doctor will visit again from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, to the patients who are severely sick and need of antenatal & postnatal care.
  • Before Doctor's visit, ANMs, ASHA workers and Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs) will visit door-to-door and identify people who require doctor's services.
  • Detailed list will be submitted by them to the doctor. PHC doctor will then visit these houses and deliver health services.
  • Healthcare of all patients will be tracked under the family doctor scheme.
  • Surgeries required, if any, will be performed under Aarogyasri scheme.
  • Telemedicine hubs will also be opened where specialists will be available.
  • Specialists will refer patients to area or district hospitals, or Aarogyasri network hospitals.
If you want to get more information, stay updated. Official website gramawardsachivalayam.ap.gov.in will be updated with complete details of Family Doctor Scheme soon.