The Local Self-Government department (LSGD) has issued guidelines to local bodies for the utilisation of grants in the health sector under the 15th Finance Commission.
Setting up of urban polyclinics and improvement of facilities at existing primary-care centres are part of the plans. The guidelines focus on decentralising public-health-related activities, which are now being planned at the district level.
As part of this, public-health units will be started at the block-panchayat level, which will be located in the block family health centres. Attached to this will be a block public health laboratory and a block health management information system cell. Currently, the block family health centres have a block medical officer, health supervisor, lady health supervisor and lab technicians. In the newly formed block public health units, an epidemiologist, a public health personnel, two lab technicians and a data manager will be additionally appointed.
