EFFICIENCY OF RKS AND OBSERVE THE AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF FUNDS BY RKS IN PHCS OF RAIGAD DISTRICT

Abstract

Background: The existing health programs before the launch of NRHM, were vertical programs and lacked community ownership which remarkably impacted levels of efficiency, accountability and effectiveness.  

Objective: To study the efficiency of RKS and observe the availability and utilization of funds by RKS in PHCs of Raigad district.

Methods: Study was conducted at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), located in Raigad District, Maharashtra State, which is the district under which Department of Community Medicine, M.G.M. Medical College, Navi Mumbai is located. Simple random sampling using table of random numbers.

 Results: RKS is formed in all sampled PHCs & hence the scheme has lead to the involvement of the local self government. The local leader’s involvement has lead to the external monitoring. However these leaders are more concerned about the services to their people than the general population in totality. Hence the politicization of the scheme may occur it is not implemented in its original spirit. The PHCs are receiving the grants under RKS scheme & hence said to involve the purchases of the equipments, instruments, etc. however this expenditure are not based on the real need of the PHC. As the concept of 24*7 PHC is still lacking, such a expenditure will lead to the unnecessary non - performing assets.

 Conclusions: RKS however is just seen as a monetary scheme without much involvement of the general public & hence happened to be a political extension in the hospital working.