Dr. Verma (left) talks with women at the antenatal care corner of the outreach camp.
Dr. P.K. Verma – Medical Officer-In-Charge (MOIC) of the Katari Hill Urban Primary Health Center (UPHC) in Gaya, India – noticed a gap in community awareness regarding government-provided health services. Concerned about the well-being of vulnerable populations, he embarked on a mission to improve healthcare access and trust in the system.
During a recent City Coordination Workshop (CCW) in Gaya, Dr. Verma asked:
Why are outreach camps limited to one per quarter? Why shouldn’t they happen every month?”
Dr. Verma is the rare medical professional who is driven by a deep desire to improve healthcare access for underserved communities. And The Challenge Initiative’s (TCI’s) partnership with the Bihar government provided the perfect platform for Dr. Verma to implement change. With TCI’s technical support, Dr. Verma initiated monthly outreach camps and collaborated with Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Nagar Nigam to expand healthcare access in his catchment area in Katari Hill.
TCI’s coaching and mentoring empowered Dr. Verma with the high-impact Convergence intervention that effectively integrates family planning and maternal neonatal health services. Additionally, managerial coaching helped him devise micro plans for outreach camps and establish family planning corners at the UPHC. The coaching also touched upon TCI’s intervention for establishing or nurturing women’s health groups, referred to as Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS), and how to leverage their support in mobilizing clients to the facilities.
The impact of Dr. Verma’s efforts extended far beyond the outreach camps. Recognizing the positive changes taking place, the municipality allocated additional resources to support his UPHC’s initiatives, leading to facility upgrades and improved coordination with ICDS for better community services. Implementing an efficient appointment system and establishing a family planning corner, under TCI’s guidance, further bolstered patient trust and increased patient volume.
Dr. Verma’s enduring commitment to community service has garnered accolades, with the Katari Hill UPHC receiving the prestigious Kayakalp Award for five consecutive years. The Kayakalp Award underscores the importance of cleanliness, hygiene, infection control and patient safety in healthcare facilities, ultimately benefiting patients and the healthcare system at large.
Dr. Verma’s transformative leadership has left an enduring impact on the community, enhancing the lives of countless individuals and setting a benchmark for healthcare excellence.
