Kayakalp of Lanka Block PHC in a true sense was a memorable journey for the entire PHC staff; their commendable efforts have brought a drastic change in and outside the PHC. Lanka PHC is the PHC that caters to large number of population. It seems difficult to revamp a 70years old building, it was almost impractical at the initial stage to do Kayakalp in the PHC with high oPD and delivery load per day. In the beginning everyone including staff thought that it will be difficult to maintain the cleanliness in the PHC round the clock; as most of the people have the perception that all Govt. hospitals will always remain dirty no matter what you do to keep it clean. It was also felt that to maintain sanitation and hygiene, Bio-medical waste management and providing service to the patients in an infection free environment would be extremely challenging task.

First step in leading this task was to motivate each staff to be a part of the entire process. Initially few staff meetings where conducted and in those discussions everyone was made to realize the importance of keeping their own workplace clean and hygienic. Strategies were made to carry out all the activities. Internal or self-assessment of the PHC was started to find out the gaps and large number of non compliances were reported. Staff was surprised that they considered it to perfect; thereafter the process of closing the gaps was started by prioritization.

one of the major issues was BMW management. Compliance to BMW is mandatory as per Government rules. So, an outsourcing model was adopted and MoU was signed with an nGo called Moonlight creative Foundation which supported in collection, segregation and treatment of all categories of Bio-medical wastes. General waste was handed over Lanka Municipality for management.

All the staff of PHC including LHV and PHn joined the endeavor for monitoring the cleanliness and hygiene promotion  in their allocated areas. Different job responsibilities were assigned to them and each one of them started working really hard on them. Land scaping, record keeping, collating patient feedbacks, creating awareness  among  the patients and their visitors about sanitation and hygiene were the prime focus areas. Duties  assigned  to  certain officials to keep strict vigilance on the behavior of patients and their attendants so that no one is found indulging into unhygienic behavior.

Cleanliness drives were carried out twice a month with local bodies/RKS members at a suitable date. All staffs have really worked hard in bringing such a remarkable change and now they feel very proud to say that they work in Lanka PHC and yes it is clean and hygienic. every person working in the PHC keeps an eye on the cleanliness and asks all the patients/ attendants/visitors to keep the hospital clean.

Doing the “KAYAKALP” or the make-over of Lanka PHC has been a wonderful experience. Later, it was realized that changes does not come overnight. We  now are more determined and promise to maintain the change that has come  after so much of pain and hardships and yes we will provide the best of our service so that the patient goes back home with a smile and of course without any Hospital Acquired Infection. I would like to thank the district officials of nagaon District for constantly helping, guiding and encouraging me and all my PHC staffs for doing such a wonderful job.
“Success is not a one day effort it is a result of constant dedication, determination and hardship”