Some guidelines for sub-centre supervision in F.W. Programme
Sawhney, N.
Popcen News Letter. Population Centre 4(6): 1-6
1978
PMID: 12233603 Document Number: 440329
In these guidelines for improvement in the Indian Family Welfare Programme the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) comes under scrutiny, especially in relation to other family planning personnel. The ANM is expected to provide maternal child care, family planning, recordkeeping, training and supervision of local midwives in maternal-child health services. Field observations show that the ANM has not been as effective as expected. Reasons offered include: lack of trust and understanding between the ANM and the villagers, location of subcenter, lack of supplies, and inadequate services. The author believes support and supervision by family planning personnel could improve the efficiency of the ANM. A 3 tier supervisional structure is proposed including; a) supervision by state headquarters, b) supervision by district level staff, c) supervision by primary health center staff. A sample of personnel involved and projected supervisional duties is described. The author feels that implementation of such needed improvements as undefined work areas and duties; poor followup; limited use of available literature; lack of scheduling; poor supplies and attitudes on part of the workers can succeed with the 3 tier system.