About RHCP

In rural India, people are often misguided due to their lack of knowledge and awareness about proper treatment and management of health related problems. In addition to this, a scarcity of trained doctors in rural India has left a gap for quacks [untrained, self-claimed doctors regarded as rural medical practitioner (RMP)] to be first responders in rural health care delivery system. Though these quacks {renamed as Rural Health Care Providers (RHCP)} are not recognized by the main stream medical system, but rural people mostly depend on them for their medical care. Liver Foundation, West Bengal (LFWB) supported by Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF) in 2007 launched the "Science to Society" intervention, which is the first program of its kind to build the capacity of RHCPs so that they can serve as a vehicle for propagation of information and generation of awareness to fight against Hepatitis B among the rural population. "Science to Society" is primarily a prevention and harm reduction intervention. We aim to reduce the harm inflicted by these rural health care providers with proper knowledge and correct information about the pathogenesis and management of various diseases through a 1 year training program that imparts both theoretical and practical knowledge on anatomy, function of organs, adverse effect of drug, emergency management obstetric care including antenatal checks and public health programs. There is provision of quarterly exam, after every 4 months in the presence of external moderators, as a part of evaluation of the RHCP trainees. Knowledge about HBV is also provided to the RHCPs during this training program so that they spread this information to the rural people, thereby helping in curbing the various prejudices and superstitions prevalent against Hepatitis B in the society. We conduct this training program in Nadia (Krishnanagar), Purulia (Purulia Town), Birbhum (Suri), South 24 Parganas (Patharpratima), Dumka (Massenjore) and recently in Murshidabad (Baharampur). From Birbhum and Dumka district, we have completed 6 batches and 2 batches respectively. Both in Nadia and Purulia districts, the 1st batch completed its training and the second batch is due completion. In South 24 Parganas, we started our 1st training program in October, 2009 and it is about to complete. We recently have spread our wings in Murshidabad (Baharampur) district. The RHCP training program has begun its classes from July, 2010. Every batch of RHCP consists of approximately 50 students and they are selected on the basis of a selection test followed by an interview. There also exist certain eligibility criteria for application to this training program.