Table 1 Roles and responsibilities of district-level government health functionaries working towards malaria elimination
Position | Roles and responsibilities |
|---|---|
Chief Medical and Health Officer | Head of the district health administration. She/He is responsible for achieving the health goals in the district through appropriate planning, effective implementation and monitoring of all preventive and curative health care activities in the district. |
District Malaria Officer | The key technical officer to handle the planning and monitoring of malaria elimination programme in the district. Reports to the Chief Medical and Health Officer. |
District Vector Borne Disease Consultant | A technical officer from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme to assist the District Malaria Officer in discharge of his duties. |
Malaria Technical Supervisors and Malaria Inspectors | Review of records in laboratory and malaria reporting forms (M Forms), review of vector control measures like IRS, bednets, Larvivorous fishes etc. Monitor logistics and utilization of drugs and commodities and report stock-outs. Reports to Block Medical Officer and District Malaria Officer,. |
Multi-Purpose Supervisors and Lady Health Visitors | Monitoring and supervision of work-done by ANMs and MPWs. Reports to different block-level cadres for different health programmes. |
Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs) | ANMs and MPWs come with a broad set of responsibilities, including the support of AWWs (Anganwadi Workers) and ASHA workers. ANMs are primarily involved in Maternal and Child Health programmes. Both ANMs and MPWs are active surveillance agencies and supposed to regularly visit the villages on a periodic basis (door-to-door) and coordinate with the local ASHA towards different health needs of the community. |
Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) | ASHA acts as a bridge between the ANM and the village and be accountable to the Panchayat. She is an honorary volunteer, receiving performance-based compensation for promoting universal immunisation, referral and escort services for RCH, testing and treatment of malaria, construction of household toilets, and other healthcare delivery programmes. |
ASHA-sahayogini (helper) | Helps in the convergence of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme through the Anganwadi centres and the health department. |