ASSESSMENT OF FREE REFERRAL SERVICES UNDER JSSK IN DISTRICT GANDERBAL, KASHMIR: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Rafiq Mir,
Associate Professor,
Department of Community Medicine,
SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar-190017,
Jammu & Kashmir.
E-mail: dr.mmrafiq@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Several initiatives by Government of India under NRHM have been put forth for better facilities to the pregnant women & sick new born babies in government institutions under the schemes like JSY & JSSK, in which free transport services are being provided. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: To assess the utilization of free referral services under JSSK in Ganderbal District of Kashmir (J & K). METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted for a period of one year in district Ganderbal, in which 50% of the Sub centers were selected. 10 recently delivered mothers were chosen randomly from each sub center & a sample size of 230 beneficiary were chosen, who had delivered in previous six months. Results:  51.7% of recently delivered women were provided free ambulance services from home to the facility, & 68% were provided free service from facility to the home. The money by cheque was provided to 2.8% of the women only, who had hired a vehicle. RECOMMENDATIONS: Better fund flow and gaps in knowledge need to be filled for proper utilization of the services by the beneficiaries

KEYWORDS: JSSK, Sub centre, NRHM.