Maharashtra health department rolls out new training policy; courses made mandatory for staff

The Maharashtra government has announced a new training policy for the Public Health Department aimed at strengthening the skills and capabilities of its workforce and improving the quality of public healthcare servicesPublic Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar said the policy will bring major changes to the existing training system and ensure that officers and employees at all levels undergo structured trainingTraining institutions to come under central controlUnder the new framework training institutions across Maharashtra will be brought under the technical and administrative control of the Directorate of Public Health Services Training Nagpur with the aim of creating a more uniform and effective training systemThe State Institute of Health and Family Welfare SIHFW Nagpur will function as the departmentrsquos nodal training institutionTraining infrastructure at the divisional district and taluka levels will also be strengthened with new centres to be established wherever requiredTraining linked to joining promotions and experienceThe policy makes training mandatory for regular and contractual employees across all postsNew recruits will have to complete their initial training within one year of joining service Employees will also be required to undergo prescribed training after promotionThe framework provides for midlevel refresher training after four to six years of service followed by advanced or seniorlevel training after 10 yearsEmployees who remain absent from training without permission could face administrative action under existing rules28day residential skill lab programme proposedThe department has also proposed a 28day residential Skill Lab training programme to give healthcare workers handson experience instead of relying solely on classroombased learningThe programme will include 20 days of practical training in skill laboratories and eight days of handson training at district hospitalsThe policy also provides for continued participation by state and districtlevel trainers in programmes for ASHA workers Anganwadi workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives ANMsFiveyear training roadmap plannedThe department will prepare a fiveyear training framework and annual training plans based on the requirements of individual postsThe government also plans to align training programmes more closely with employeesrsquo daytoday responsibilitiesFunding for the programmes will be provided through the Public Health Departmentrsquos budget with the training policy to be implemented as a government schemeSkilled workforce essential for quality healthcareAbitkar said developing the capabilities of healthcare workers would be crucial to improving public healthcare deliveryldquoA capable skilled and trained workforce is essential to provide quality healthcare services This training policy will be an important step towards improving the efficiency of officers and employees in the Health Department through human resource and capacity development and towards providing betterquality healthcare services to citizens across the staterdquoMaharashtra framework aligned with National Training PolicyPublic Health Department Principal Secretary Dr Nipun Vinayak said Maharashtra has prepared the framework under the National Training Policy to enhance healthcare workersrsquo skills strengthen the public health system and bring uniformity to training institutionsldquoThis policy will not only strengthen the quality of public healthcare services but will also make healthcare more peoplecentric and help increase citizensrsquo trust in the healthcare systemrdquoThe government said the new framework is intended to make training a continuous part of professional development rather than treating it as a onetime administrative requirement