Bihar: Access basic health services at Covid-19 vaccination centres

PATNA: People can now access basic health services at several Covid-19 vaccination centres in Bihar. With the majority of people already vaccinated, the health department intends to provide services such as blood pressure, glucose, and body mass index checks, as well as counselling on eating habits and lifestyle choices, at some of the centres. This is to maximise the potential of healthcare professionals assigned to vaccination centres.

Almost 100% of beneficiaries over the age of 18 have received the first dose, and nearly 85% have got the second dose in the state. Due to the ongoing immunisation drive in the ward sabhas, a large number of people are being inoculated there, alleviating pressure on existing vaccination centres. As a result, the department intends to use several of these centres to provide basic health services.

These facilities have been piloted at two vaccination centres in Begusarai, and State Health Society’s additional executive director Animesh Kumar Parasar stated that they would be expanded to some centres in other districts as well.

Parasar told TOI, “The health department’s goal is to maximise the availability of healthcare workers at the centres. It is in the process of procuring haemoglobinometers so that the staff deputed at the grassroots level can check the haemoglobin level.”

Gunjan Gaurav, a CARE India employee stationed in Begusarai, said 3,195 people had received health checks at the district’s two vaccination centres since the facility opened on February 1. Apart from checking blood pressure, haemoglobin, and sugar levels, Gaurav explained that if nursing staff discover anything concerning during the screening, they refer the patients to the appropriate doctors.