Health and human resource mobilization: an assessment of staffing pattern in NLEP at operational level

In this paper the staffing pattern, training and infrastructural facilities of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) at operational level as well as the attendant problems in mobilising human resources are discussed. The study shows that the major portion of the work of the NLEP is being shared by the PMWs (72%), followed by NMS (14%) and Medical Officers (5%). The population served by the PMW in all the high and moderate endemic regions is more than the prescribed limit except in Nagaland and Sikkim. In the same areas, the Medical Officer serves a population more than the norm in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bihar. Regarding case load, in no state the M.O. serves more than 2500 cases except in Bihar and Kerala, in moderate endemic and low endemic regions respectively. The PMW in Haryana and Punjab states attends more than 250 cases. In NLEP every one out of four sanctioned posts is vacant. There is also an urgent need to rationalize the training programme so that there is optimal utilization of the training centres.