Achievement

Mattathur Community Health Centre has achieved a significant milestone by securing the Commendation Prize in the state-level Kayakalp Awards for the financial year 2024-25. For its exemplary performance in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control standards, the hospital has been awarded a cash prize of ₹1,00,000. The Kayakalp initiative, an offshoot of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, evaluates public health facilities based on parameters such as hospital upkeep, waste management, and eco-friendly practices. This recognition reflects the collective hard work and dedication of the medical officers, nursing staff, and cleaning personnel at CHC Mattathur in providing a safe and superior healthcare environment for the public.

Since winning the Kayakalpam Commendation Prize, Mattathur Community Health Centre (CHC) has undergone a significant transformation, moving from a standard rural clinic to a high-standard healthcare facility. The prize served as both a financial boost and a benchmark for continuous quality improvement.

Here are the key improvements observed at Mattathur CHC following the award:

1. Infrastructure & Aesthetic Upgrades

The award money and local panchayat support were channeled into making the hospital more patient-friendly:

• Landscaping and Greenery: The facility developed a "Healing Garden" and an herbal garden, creating a calm environment that aids patient recovery.
• Signage & Accessibility: Improved directional signage in multiple languages and better accessibility features for elderly and differently-abled patients.

2. Sustainability and "Green Protocol"

• Plastic-Free Campus: Rigid implementation of the Green Protocol, replacing disposables with reusable steel or glass items.
• Visual Hygiene (IEC): Extensive display of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials—posters in Malayalam and English—that guide patients on proper handwashing and waste disposal habits.
• Energy Efficiency: Maintenance of electrical systems and shifts toward more energy-efficient lighting and ventilation to reduce the carbon footprint.

• Feedback Loops: A structured feedback system was implemented to monitor the quality of cleaning and staff behavior, ensuring that the standards required for the award are maintained daily.

3. Water Management & Safety

• Safe Drinking Water Access: ensuring 24/7 access to potable water.
• Regular Water Testing: Systematic testing of water quality (chemical and bacteriological) to prevent water-borne diseases within the facility.
• Conservation: Implementation of water-saving fixtures and a "recharging of hospital wells" project to ensure long-term water sustainability.

4. Sanitation & Toilet Facilities

• Geriatric & Disabled-Friendly Toilets: Upgrading existing toilets with anti-skid tiles, handrails (grab bars), and wider doors to accommodate the elderly and those with mobility issues.
• Gender-Segregated Facilities: Ensuring clean, well-lit, and separate toilet for male and female patients, as well as dedicated staff washrooms.
• Drainage Systems: Modernization of the liquid waste management system to ensure that wastewater is treated and does not stagnate, preventing mosquito breeding and odors.

5. Hygiene Promotion & Infection Control

• Hand Hygiene Stations: Strategically placed hand-wash sinks and alcohol-based rub dispensers at every critical point (entrance, OPD, and ward exits) to encourage the "5 Moments of Hand Hygiene."
• Three-Bucket Cleaning System: Adoption of the standardized three-bucket technique (Detergent, Rinse, Disinfectant) for floor mopping, which prevents cross-contamination between different hospital zones.
• Training & Supervision: Structured training for cleaning personnel regarding the dilution of disinfectants (like sodium hypochlorite) and the use of PPE during cleaning tasks.

6. Waste Management (Environmental Hygiene)

The Kayakalpam criteria focus heavily on hygiene. After the commendation, the CHC institutionalized several practices:

• Point-of-Generation Segregation: Strict use of color-coded bins (Yellow, Red, White, Blue) to ensure bio-medical waste is handled according to the latest 2016/2018 rules.
• Deep Burial/Autoclave Protocols: Improved coordination for the safe transport and disposal of hazardous waste, reducing the risk of needle-stick injuries and environmental pollution.

7.Increased Laboratory Revenue

• Expanded Test Menu: With the award funds and increased focus on quality, the lab began offering a wider range of biochemistry and hematology tests. This encouraged patients—who previously went to private labs—to utilize the hospital’s affordable services.
• Standardized User Charges: While keeping services affordable, the increased footfall in the lab significantly boosted the daily collection of nominal user fees, which are reinvested into the hospital's development.

8. Pharmacy and Medicine Dispensing

• Higher OPD Turnout: Better WASH facilities and cleaner surroundings led to a higher Outpatient (OPD) attendance. This naturally increased the volume of medicines dispensed and the minor administrative fees associated with registration.
• Supply Chain Efficiency: Improved inventory management (a key part of Kayakalpam) reduced medicine wastage, indirectly "saving" money and ensuring that the revenue-generating stocks are always available.

10. Efficient Fund Management (HMC Income)

• Hospital Management Committee (HMC) Funds: The income generated from the Lab, ECG, and Pharmacy is managed by the HMC. Because the Kayakalpam award proved the hospital’s efficiency, the local Panchayat and state bodies were more willing to allocate additional "matching grants," further increasing the hospital's financial power.
• Reinvestment Cycle: The income generated was used to hire more qualified lab technicians or upgrade equipment, creating a "virtuous cycle" where better services lead to more patients, which leads to more income.

7. Transition to NQAS Standards

The success in Kayakalpam acted as a stepping stone. The CHC utilized the momentum to prepare for the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) accreditation. This involved:

• Standardizing clinical records and documentation.
• Improving laboratory services and pharmacy management.
• Regular training sessions for the cleaning and nursing staff to maintain high service quality.