Veterinary Epidemiology and Zoonosis

Activities of Health Centers

EXERCISE-16: ACTIVITIES OF HEALTH SUB CENTRES IN  TAMIL NADU

Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Tamilnadu

Reference: http://www.tnhealth.org/ 

Activities of Health Sub Centres in Tamilnadu

• Peripheral most unit available at the Village level to take care of the Health needs of the community.
• A Health Sub centre covers a population of 5000 in plain areas and 3000 in Hilly and difficult terrains. All Primary Health Care Services are being provided at the door steps of the community.
• Each Health sub centre is manned by a pair of Health Workers.
• The Female Worker (VHN) takes care of MCH activities, including Immunization.
• The male worker is responsible to control of Communicable Diseases, Checking of Births and Deaths Registration, Health Education, Surveillance, etc.
• All pregnant women are registered by the Village Health Nurses at the earliest stage of pregnancy and given Antenatal care.
• Antenatal care includes two doses of Tetanus Toxoid Injections and distribution of 100 tablets of Ferrous Sulphate Tablets (FST).
• Pregnancy complications, if any are referred to higher Medical Institutions like Taluk Hospitals and District hospitals.
• Deliveries are conducted in Health Sub centres.
• The Health Sub centre area is divided into 4 units and on every Wednesday, Immunization sessions are organised in one unit, thereby covering the entire area in a month.
• Village Health nurses provide information on MTP services and are issuing contraceptive tablets, etc. for postponement of next pregnancy.
• Village Health Nurses provide information on sterilization and IUD insertion is done by her.
• The Village Health Nurses guide the local Dais and help them in early identification of maternal complicated cases and conduct deliveries under aseptic conditions.
• The HSC provides medicine for minor ailments like cold, fever, diarrhoea, etc.
• The male worker visits the Village and takes blood smear to detect malaria.
• Sputums are collected from chronic patients of cough and sent to Primary Health Centres, for examination. If found positive for tuberculosis, treatment is arranged through Primary Health Centres.
• Chlorination of water sources and disinfection of affected houses, during diarrhoea are done by the male worker.
• Identifying cases of leprosy and treat them.
• Male health workers make festival arrangements and investigate food poisoning and counsel on food hygiene.
• Male health workers motivate for family planning and distribute condoms.

Immunisation

• Immunisation against six vaccine Preventable diseases was started in 1978.

Table: Immunization schedule

Vaccination	Age	Route
BCG and Zero Polio	At birth or within 15 days	Intradermal - BCG Oral - OPV
DPT, Hep.B and OPV	6th week 10th week 14th week	Intramuscular – DPT , Hep.B Oral – OPV
Measles	9th month (after completion of 270 days)	Subcutaneous
DPT booster and OPV	16-24 months	Intramuscular - DPT Oral - OPV
DT	5 year	Intramuscular
TT	Pregnant mother - 2 doses with one month interval. 10 and 16 year children - 1 dose	Intramuscular