Table 3 Description of activities planned under the study intervention arms
Intervention arm | Intervention name | Intervention input | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
A | Optimise service delivery | Orientation training & workshop for PHC medical officers | Training on standard treatment guidelines for NCDs, rational prescription, maintaining treatment cards for patients with NCDs and conduction of health days for NCD care. |
Training workshop for pharmacists | Training on need assessment for medicines, counselling patients on medicines and their side effects and non- drug treatment, indenting for medicines and record keeping at PHCs. | ||
Training workshop for ANMs, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers. | Orientation on lifestyle modification for NCD, need for long-term follow-up and medication for NCD, availability of free generic medicines for NCD at local PHCs and ensuring that patients visit the PHC regularly for follow-up and medicines. | ||
Advocacy and coordination. | Coordination and advocacy at state, district and taluka levels with different stakeholders to ensure supply of drugs to the PHCs through routine supply chain, district PIP or utilising local funds (ARS). | ||
B | (Optimise service delivery) + Strengthen existing community participation through patient groups and ARS | Development and dissemination of awareness material. | Awareness material shall focus on lifestyle modification for NCD, need for long-term follow-up and medication for NCD, and availability of free generic medicines for NCD at local PHCs. Disseminate material among health workers, local community groups (ARS, VHSC). |
Formation of NCD patient groups. | To organise NCD patients group meeting and inform about the importance of regular treatment and the advantages of generic medicines | ||
BCC at community level. | Health worker spreading information leaflets about diabetes & hypertension, about the designated NCD check up day event held 1–3 times per year at the PHC. Information on NCD control will also be displayed at prominent places in the PHC and local villages | ||
Meeting with ARS members. | Orientation of ARS members about their functions and possibility of utilizing untied funds for purchasing medicines for NCD and facilitate their interaction with patient groups and PHC staff | ||
C (Control) | No intervention | Government existing programme for NCD control at primary health centres. | Government’s making effort at improving generic drug availability. Private pharmacies cater to many NCD patients. |