Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Government of India

IMMUNISATION

COUNSELLING

NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR

CONDUCTING BLOCK-LEVEL HEALTH MELASGUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL 1

FEBRUARY 2022
National Guidelines for
Conducting Block-Level
HEALTH MELAS
FEBRUARY 2022
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 5
Objectives 6
Components 6
Operationalisation 7
Financial Norms 9
Reporting 9
Annexure - 1 11
Part 1: Report on Health Mela (Check–ups) 11
Part-2 : Participants Feedback 12
Annexure - 2 14
Roles and Responsibilities of Organising Committee 14
INTRODUCTION of health promotion and prevention is designed
to bring focus on keeping people healthy by
India is faced with the dual burden of both
empowering individuals and communities to
communicable and non-communicable
choose healthy behaviours and make changes
diseases and many of these diseases can be
that reduce the risk of developing chronic
prevented by early diagnosis, providing health
diseases and morbidities. The multi-stake
education, timely referral and management.
holder community platforms like Village Health,
The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension
Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNC)
is also significant which ranges from 5-10%.
in the community and Jan Arogya Samitis (JAS)
Moreover, 8 lakh cases of Cancer are detected
in the AB-HWCs are pivotal in enhancing the
each year and around 60-80% of the cases
community ownership of public health facilities
are diagnosed late. Almost 8% of the geriatric
and also promoting wellness as a mass
population is homebound and suffering from
movement. The recent recommendation of XV
various ailments.
Finance Commission for grants to Panchayat
Ayushman Bharat, a flagship scheme of raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies to
Government of India, was launched to achieve plan and monitor primary health care facilities
the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as has enhanced the responsibility of the local
envisioned in National Health Policy 2017. This government while adding fillip to universal
initiative has been designed to meet Sustainable health coverage.
Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlining
Complementarily, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY,
commitment of “leave no one behind.”
the largest health assurance scheme in the
Ayushman Bharat adopts a continuum of care world provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per
approach, comprising of two inter-related family per year for secondary and tertiary care
components, which are - hospitalization to over 10.74 crores poor and
vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore
1. Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness
beneficiaries) that form the bottom 40% of
Centres (AB-HWCs)
India’s population.
2. Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan
The recently launched Ayushman Bharat
Arogya Yojana (AB-PM-JAY)
Digital Health Mission (ABDM) is providing the
1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness necessary backbone for attainment of Universal
Centres (AB-HWCs) are being established by Health Coverage, by creating a seamless online
transforming the existing Sub Centres and platform “through the provision of a wide-range
Primary Health Centres. These centres are to of data, information and infrastructure services,
deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care duly leveraging open, interoperable, standards-
(CPHC) bringing healthcare with a ‘time to based digital systems”
care’ principle of 30 minutes from home. They
To realise the vision of ‘universal health
provide an expanded range primary health care
Coverage’ awareness amongst people about
services such as reproductive and child health,
health and services that they can access is
communicable diseases, non-communicable
equally essential. Evidence also suggests
diseases, elderly care, eye, Ear-Nose-Throat
that early diagnosis and prevention can have
and oral care, care during emergency and
significant impact on reduction of morbidity and
trauma, palliative care including free essential
preventable mortality.
drugs and diagnostic services. The emphasis

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL 5

Health Melas and fairs where information on Objectives
wellness behaviour, preventive measures for
The primary objectives of the Health Mela are
diseases along with healthcare services for
early detection and treatment of diseases, have to:
been found to be popular with the masses. They 1. Build awareness about different health and
are also a potent vehicle for creating awareness family welfare programmes, Ayushman-
about different schemes and programs of the Bharat Health and Wellness centres, PM-
Government.
JAY.
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2. Facilitate creation of Unique Health ID
(MoHFW) has adopted the strategy of
under ABDM for attendees.
organising Health Melas to provide health
education and early diagnosis besides providing 3. Facilitate provision of Ayushman Bharat
health care services, free of cost. These Health Card under AB-PM-JAY for eligible citizens
Melas envisage to attract thousands of people
4. Increase health awareness of the population
desiring to avail quality health care services
for prevention of various communicable
with essential medicines. The Melas will also
help in informing people about the various and non-communicable diseases.
health programs being carried out by the Central 5. Motivate the masses through innovative
Government, State Government, NGOs etc. and mass media and mid-media activities to
also about the different systems of medicine. adopt wellness behaviour to stay healthy.
(Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Unani
etc). 6. Provide screening for early diagnosis,
basic health care services with drugs and
These guidelines are intended for the State,
diagnostics, teleconsultation with relevant
District and Block Program Managers and
health specialists and referrals as needed.
Service providers. The guidelines provide a
framework for realising the following objectives
of health melas.

Components of Health Mela

Digital Health ID creation; Issue of Ayushman Bharat

NCD Screening (Diabetes, Card;
Hypertension, Oral Awareness generation and
Cancer) Health Education

Health Mela

Basic healthcare services, Wellness activities like yoga,

Teleconsultation and referral meditation

6 GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL

Operationalisation of Health Mela at o Schools
block-level o Institutions
The following activities are carried out for o Local media
successful implementation of a health mela:
Duties of Organizing Committee can be seen
““ Conducting a successful health mela at Annexure 2.
requires significant amount of planning,
““ The proposal for conducting health mela
beginning at least two months before the
shall be sent to the District Health Authority
target date.
to be a part of District Health Action Plan.
““ Each mela has to be organized keeping
““ The venue and date of the Health Mela
in mind the socio-cultural set up, disease
shall be finalized in consultation with the
prevalence, and the existing health facilities
Member of Parliament, District Magistrate
of the area, where the mela is to be
and the Chief Medical Officer. The venue
organized.
of the Health Mela should be selected so
““ Rupees One lakh is provided for conducting that it is in the vicinity of a Block PHC/CHC
health mela in a block. in order to provide facilities of diagnostic
““ Each health mela shall be held for 1 day. tests and drugs, etc. The venue should be
centrally located and easily accessible to
““ A block level planning committee of 8-10
the public.
persons may be formed well in advance
(at least two months) before the scheduled ““ Necessary medicines and supplies should
date under the guidance of District Authority be arranged through the district health
(District Magistrate and CMO). Block department well in advance. Adequate
level committee shall be chaired by Taluk number of ASHAs, ANMs, CHOs, Staff
panchayat president, co-chaired by Block Nurses, Medical Professionals, Specialists
Development Officer with Block Health/ may be drawn from the local Government
Medical Officer as member convenor and Hospitals and AB-HWCs
may include members from Block level ““ The following points may be considered
Officials of Departments of Women and before deciding the lay-out plan:
Child Development, Education, Social
yy The venue should be divided into stalls
Welfare etc.
with clear indication of location of
““ It is advised to have a representative from each service like AB-Digital Health ID,
the following groups in the Organising Ayushman Bharat Cards, AB-HWC with
Committee: JAS role and VHSNC, CBAC form filling
o Health professionals: Medical Officer for screening, Screening of NCDs,
in-charge, staff nurses, CHOs, yoga Teleconsultations, Health education,
practitioners Yoga practice, IEC activities, etc.
Besides above the following services
o Representation from community
are to be provided
platforms- JAS, VHSNC, MAS, self-help
groups. (i) General Medicine

o PRI members (ii) Maternal Health

o Health agencies: medical colleges, (iii) Child Health

hospitals, local NGOs etc.

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL 7

 (iv) Immunization not inconvenienced and can easily get
themselves registered.
(v) Family Planning Counseling
yy If the stalls are in the open space, each
(vi) IEC-Family Welfare
stall may be of size 15’X15’ and should
(vii) Cataract check up be ready with all furniture, fixtures, posters,
(viii) ENT check up equipment etc., at least one day before the
start of the mela.
(ix) Dental Check up
yy The stalls need to be such that
(x) Skin checkup
inconvenience during inclement weather
(xi) Counseling for Nutrition (rain etc.) is avoided.
(xii) Counseling for RTI/STI/AIDS ““ The following stalls/counters may be set
Control up -
(xiii) Leprosy control yy Registration, Digital ID creation and
(xiv) TB control CBAC form filling by Staff Nurse/CHO

(xv) Malaria yy Diabetes screening counter- generation

of digital health ID and screening,
(xvi) Prevention of Blindness (eye
referral if required.
check up)
yy Hypertension screening counter-
(xvii) Bad effects of smoking &
generation of digital health ID and
tobacco use
screening, referral if required.
(xviii) Cancer control awareness
yy Oral cancer screening counter-
(xix) Personal/environmental hygiene generation of digital health ID and
(xx) Rehabilitation screening, referral if required.

(xxi) Indian Systems of Medicine- yy Health education and health promotion

Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy counter: referral services, information
regarding diet counselling, exercise,
(xxii) Programmes of Song and Drama
etc
Division, Dte. Of Field Publicity
yy Yoga and meditation counter :
(xxiii) BOC (erstwhile DAVP)_exhibition
information regarding wellness
yy There should be a printed map in the local activities and conduct timed yet regular
language indicating the layout of the stalls yoga and meditation sessions
at the mela venue.
yy Clinical Examination and
yy Duty Chart of doctors and other staff should Teleconsultation with MOs and CHOs/
be clearly visible. MLHPs
yy An enquiry office with duty chart of doctors yy Laboratory testing including testing for
and other staff with layout map should be Food Adulteration
functional at least from 2 days before start
yy Medication counter CHOs/MLHPs and
of the mela.
Pharmacists - providing medicines if
yy Adequate number of registration counters appropriate.
need to be set up so that the people are

8 GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL

 yy IEC counter: awareness generation to them about their roles/duties.
regarding AB-HWCs, various national
yy The organizers will take due care of
health programs, XV Finance
hygiene at the mela site. Arrangements
Commission grant and health, PM-
for drinking water, sanitation at the
ABHIM, ABDM, etc
mela site should be made.
yy PMJAY counter- Awareness regarding
yy Separate toilets for men and women,
eligibility, creation of PM-JAY cards,
adequately provided with water, soap
information regarding PM-JAY
etc., shall be installed.
empaneled hospitals, etc
yy Stalls for quality, hygienic healthy food
““ Lifestyle modification and wellness
as per Eat Right and Eat Safe norms
promotion using multimedia including local
may be put up for sale at reasonable
art and culture, along with screening help
prices
build awareness of health risks and provide
information on how an individual can make ““ Facilitating continuum of care:
changes in their lifestyle to enhance their yy Directory of functional health
health. When considering health screening institutions should be readily available
in a health mela, there is a need to take in the health mela so that the doctors
care of confidentiality of the results. As attending the patients can refer the
most screenings take several minutes, case for subsequent follow up.
participants need to be given extra time to
yy All referral cases must be entered
attend these booths
into a register indicating the name of
““ The following may be carried out for the patient and the hospital where the
planning the logistics: patient has been referred.
yy Adequate number of volunteers for yy Referred patients shall be mapped
guiding the people to the concerned village-wise and linked to the nearest
stall. Leverage VHSNC members, SHC-HWC/PHC-HWC shall be shared
JAS members and School Health and with the CHO/PHC MO for following-up
Wellness Ambassadors in the block. on the status/outcome of the referrals
yy Adequate number of Doctors, CHOs/ to health institutions.
MLHPs, ANM, ASHAs for attending to Financial Norms
these stalls.
yy Rs 1 lakh per block for organizing the health
yy Medicines for full course of therapy mela would be the allocated.
in case of acute illness and at least
yy The health Melas shall be organized under
for 1 month in case of Hypertension,
National Health Mission.
Diabetes and Mental illness will be
distributed by pharmacists posted yy The proposal for conducting Health Mela
at each stall. Adequate store and shall be sent by the State Government
distribution facility should be arranged. as part of the State PIP/Supplementary
PIP, to the Ministry for approval and
yy Allocation of stalls and duty should be
transfer of funds through NHM Division.
fully explained to the Doctors/CHOs/
The central state funding pattern will be
Pharmacists/ANMs and other health
60:40/90:10/100% as per the existing NHM
staff. A detailed briefing may be given
norm.

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL 9

yy The Ministry of AYUSH may also supplement under the NHM. The funds may be utilized
funds for these health melas. The amount and reported for the heads as indicated at
of funds and the terms of engagement with Annexure-1.
Directorate/Department of AYUSH shall be
yy Further, a brief report on the benefits
decided by State/District.
accrued as an outcome of Health Mela is
Reporting to be maintained by the State /UT NHM
for record and audit purpose as per the
yy The reporting mechanism to the Ministry
Annexures 2 and 3. Accordingly, the State/
of Health and Family Welfare on utilisation
UT NHM may issue guidelines to this effect
and expenditure of funds for the Health
to the districts.
Mela shall be on similar lines as for the
other activities taken up by the State/UT

10 GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL

 Annexure 1

Part 1: Report on Health Mela (Check–ups) held on date……………………

Sl.
Item No. of people benefited Remarks
No.
1. Registration
2. Digital Health ID created
3. Ayushman Cards issued
4 Check – up
5 Treatment
6. Teleconsultation
7. Obstetrics
8. Breast Feeding (Nursing Mothers)
9. Family Planning Counseling
10. Polio & DPT Vaccination
11. RTI/STD Check up
12. Pediatrics
13. Gynecology
14. Malaria
15. Tuberculosis
16. Leprosy
17. Blindness control
Non-Communicable Diseases (Hyperten-
18.
sion, Diabetics etc.)
19. HIV/AIDS Counseling
20. Cancer
21. Cardiology
22. Asthma
23. Dental
24. ENT
25 Medicine
26. Plastic Surgery
27. Skin/Dermatology
28. Blood Test
29. ECG
30. X-Ray
31. Contraceptives distributed
32. Ayurveda
33. Unani
34. Siddha
35. Homeopathy
36. Others (specify)
Total

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL 11

 Part 2 : Participants Feedback
1) General Report

Name of the BLOCK………………………………………………………...

Name of the DISTRICT & STATE ………………………………………...

Venue of the Mela………………………………………………………...…

Date of the Mela………………………………………………………...…......

Name of Hon. M.P.………………………………………………………...

Name of the MLA…………………………………………………………

2) Participation Details

1. No. of Doctors …………………….…………………

a) General Screening ………………………………

b) Specialists …………………………………….
c) Contributed by (Source)……………………..
2. No. of CHO/MLHPs…………………….…………………

a) ANMs ………………………………
b) ASHAs …………………………………….
c) OTHERS……………………..

3) No. of Pharmacists …………………………..

4) No. of other Health Staff (NGO, CBOs)…………………………

5) No. of volunteers…………………….

a) PRI Members………………………………
b) JAS Members…………………………………….
c) VHSNC Members
d) Professional Organizations like IMA etc……………………...

6) Name(s) of NGOs who participated and type of participation……………………………

7) Other major source(s) of revenue………………………….

a) CASH………………………………

b) KIND…………………………………….

12 GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL

8) Impact Details:

General impact of the Health Mela. List top 3.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9) Problems faced by the authorities, if any. List maximum 2

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10) List 3 Suggestions and general remarks

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(Signature of organizing authority with seal)

Name:………………………………..

Designation:…………………………

Date:…………………………………

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL 13

 Annexure 2

Roles and Responsibilities of Organising Committee

Clinical Subcommittee:

Health professionals on the Clinical Sub Committee can help determine what is appropriate to
include in a Health Mela for the target audience. Not all brochures, giveaways, or topics should
be included. For example, giving away small objects that could be swallowed by toddlers should
be avoided at family- oriented Health Mela. If screenings are provided, the Clinical Subcommittee
must help in determining appropriateness for the audience, finding appropriate providers, making
sure universal precautions are followed, results are accurate, and participants are properly informed
about results and provided with follow-up suggestions. Provisions must be made for situations for
example when someone’s blood pressure or blood sugar is found to be dangerously high during the
Health Mela — where can that person go for immediate help?

Other Tasks :

““ Identify key health topics and booths for the target audience.
““ Plan and arrange for types of clinical staff, Digital ID creation, laboratory services, teleconsultation
services, issue of Ayushman Bharath Card, transportation to a local hospital
““ Plan for meeting universal precautions regarding drawing and handling blood, etc.
““ Plan for delivery of results to the participants.
““ Plan and arrange for treatment referrals for participants with abnormal results, both immediately
and longer term (for example, if someone has a very high blood glucose or blood pressure,
where can they be seen immediately?).
““ Define and review the kinds of health information, brochures, and appropriate giveaways for
target audience (for example, no small objects for young children or free drug samples, etc)
““ Plan for immunizations appropriate for the target audience.
““ Plan for first aid needs during the Health Mela.
““ Plan to protect confidentiality of participants regarding results
““ Plan for adequate restroom facilities
““ Plan for provision of Drinking water & Sanitation.
““ Accessibility of location through public transportation
““ Provide necessary clerical support, including writing letters and invitations, and creating the
following forms:
““ Sign-in or registration forms.
““ Plan for setup and cleanup on all days of the Health Mela; ensure adequate staff for the Health
Mela, considering breaks and lunch times. Having a break room for exhibitors is helpful.
““ Develop an assignment list for the day of the Mela so volunteers can be easily directed to their
assigned areas.

14 GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL

““ Assist with management of the Health Mela.
““ Develop and disseminate posters, flyers, and mailings at Village Panchayats, Fair Price Shops,
Anganwadis, AB-HWCs and other Govt Hospitals, Schools and Colleges, Village Fairs, Bus Stops
““ VHSNC and JAS Members shall proactively mobilize people for the mela from their villages or
locality. Suitable award for the village with highest participation can be considered
““ Develop and disseminate announcements to the media, including radio, Community Radio, TV,
Newspapers, store bulletin boards etc.
““ DD, AIR may be approached for special programmes to be telecast/broadcast the State level,
with linkage with a national level coverage also.
““ Use of Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) may be considered for wider dissemination
of the program. Mobile technology may be harnessed for wide awareness generation before
and during the Health Mela.
““ Special focus would be on ‘Save the girl child’, and identifying people with hypertension, diabetes,
heart disease and mental illness
““ In each Mela, the following subjects shall be taken up for publicity and counselling.:
o Wellness behavior
o Nutrition
o Personal hygiene, environmental hygiene
o Immunization & contraceptive services)
o Counselling for RTI/STI
o Tuberculosis and Leprosy
o Adverse effects of smoking, tobacco and alcohol consumption, etc.
o Identification of Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart Diseases
o Cancer control
o Prevention of blindness
o Post Covid sequel
o Indian System of medicines etc.
““ The local branch of IMA, Voluntary Health Association of India and other credible NGOs working
in Health sector can be requested to put up their stalls

GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH MELAS AT BLOCK-LEVEL 15

NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEMS RESOURCE CENTRE