Community Health Officer (CHO), also known as Mid-Level Health Provider (MLHP) and non-physician practitioner, are skilled healthcare professionals with a defined scope of practice. In India, eligibility for this role is limited to Nursing and AYUSH Practitioners. This signifies that they undergo training and possess legal authorization to deliver healthcare in more situations than other health professionals, albeit fewer than physicians.
In India, the term Community Health Officer is interchangeable with Mid-Level Practitioner. Recently, Community Health Officers at Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres in India have gained permission to dispense specific medicines to patients, as specified in Section 23 of Schedule K of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Thus, in India, Community Health Officer (CHO) serves as another designation for a mid-level practitioner.
In Hindi (Language):
सामुदायिक स्वास्थ्य अधिकारी (सीएचओ), जिन्हें मध्य-स्तरीय स्वास्थ्य प्रदाता (एम.एल.एच.पी.) और गैर-चिकित्सक व्यवसायी के रूप में भी जाना जाता है, अभ्यास के एक परिभाषित दायरे के साथ कुशल स्वास्थ्य देखभाल पेशेवर हैं। भारत में, इस भूमिका के लिए पात्रता नर्सिंग और आयुष चिकित्सकों तक सीमित है। इसका मतलब यह है कि वे प्रशिक्षण से गुजरते हैं और अन्य स्वास्थ्य पेशेवरों की तुलना में अधिक स्थितियों में स्वास्थ्य देखभाल प्रदान करने के लिए कानूनी प्राधिकरण रखते हैं, भले ही चिकित्सकों की तुलना में कम हों।
भारत में, सामुदायिक स्वास्थ्य अधिकारी शब्द का प्रयोग मध्य-स्तरीय व्यवसायी के साथ किया जाता है। हाल ही में, भारत में आयुष्मान भारत स्वास्थ्य और कल्याण केंद्रों के सामुदायिक स्वास्थ्य अधिकारियों को रोगियों को विशिष्ट दवाएं देने की अनुमति मिल गई है, जैसा कि औषधि और प्रसाधन सामग्री नियम, 1945 की अनुसूची K की धारा 23 में निर्दिष्ट है। इस प्रकार, भारत में, सामुदायिक स्वास्थ्य अधिकारी (सीएचओ) ) मध्य स्तर के व्यवसायी के लिए एक अन्य पदनाम के रूप में कार्य करता है।
Community Health Officer job is Government or Private?
Community Health Officers (CHOs) operate within the framework of the National Health Mission, overseen by the State Government in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Essentially, the role of a Community Health Officer falls within the purview of the state government. Nationwide, there are over 100,000 Community Health Officers deployed across all states and Union Territories (UTs) of India.
Community Health Officer is a Doctor or Not?
Community Health Officers (CHOs) function as Mid-Level Healthcare Providers (MLHPs), playing a crucial role as a vital connection between doctors and community health workers such as Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs), and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
So, Community Health Officer is Mid-Level Healthcare Provider (MLHP).
What is The Qualification of Community Health Officer (CHO)?
Nursing professionals and BAMS graduates qualify for the role of Community Health Officer (CHO). Following selection in the entrance exam, they undergo a six-month CHO training program. Upon completion of the training, all candidates undergo 2-3 exams for re-evaluation. Those who successfully pass these exams are then appointed as Community Health Officers.
Consequently, all Community Health Officers (CHOs) are highly qualified and proficient compared to other health workers such as ANMs and MPWs.
What is the Role or Work of Community Health Officers (CHO)?
Their responsibilities may include Comprehensives Primary Health Care (CPHC) providing health education and information, conducting health screenings and assessments, providing basic medical care and treatment, and connecting individuals and families with appropriate healthcare resources.
The main 12 services of CHOs under Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) are:
- Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth: Antenatal Check of Pregnant Women, Identification of High Risk pregnancies, Counselling related to Complications and Problems during pregnancy like anemia, etc.
- Neonatal and Infant Healthcare: Counselling related to Nutritional Diets, Breast Feeding, Newborn care, Health education based on importance of Immunization, Growth and Development of infant & child, etc.
- Childhood and Adolescent health care services
- Family Planning, Contraceptive services and other reproductive health care services
- Management of Communicable disease: National Health Programmes
- Management of Common Communicable diseases and general out-patient care for acute simple illness and minor ailments
- Screening, Prevention, control and management of Non-Communicable diseases.
- Screening and basic management of Mental Health illness.
- Care for common ophthalmic and ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) problems.
- Basic oral health care
- Elderly and palliative health care services
- Emergency Medical Services.
What is the Salary of Community Health Officer (CHO)?
Community Health Officers receive a foundational salary of Rs. 28,700/- along with performance-based pay amounting to Rs. 15,000/-. Consequently, the overall salary for a Community Health Officer totals Rs. 43,700/-. Additionally, there is an annual 5% increment on the basic salary.
Notably, in certain states like Haryana, Community Health Officers may have a Grade Pay of 4800, determining their salary within the 4800 pay band.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Community Health Officer (CHO) is Gazetted Officer or Not?
A1: No, Community Health Officer is not a Gazetted Officer.
Q2: Community Health Officer is Permanent or Not?
A2: Initially, state governments appointed Community Health Officers on a contractual basis for a duration of 3 years from the date of joining. Subsequently, some states transitioned to regularizing the post, establishing a permanent status for Community Health Officers, while others continue to maintain a contractual arrangement.
Sources: National Health Mission, NHA, Wikipedia, Internet, etc.
