A three-day training on the Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) Facility Survey was conducted in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, from 22 to 24 July 2025 under the India Primary Health Care Support Initiative (IPSI). The training was designed to equip data collectors and supervisors with the technical, ethical, and operational skills required for conducting a comprehensive facility-level assessment of HWCs. It was facilitated by Dr. Rajiv and Dr. Harsha, with coordination support from Ms. Dolly.
Training Highlights
- Day 1 – Orientation and Tool Familiarization: Participants were introduced to the objectives of the survey and the Epicollect mobile application for data collection. Sessions included hands-on practice with the survey tool, contextual adaptation of study instruments, and an overview of ethics and consent in research led by Dr. Rajiv.
- Day 2 – Pilot Testing: The team conducted pilot visits at PHCs Darenggre and Kherapara. Data collectors practiced consent procedures, interviewer conduct, and tool administration. A debriefing session captured challenges, suggested refinements to the questionnaire, and clarified supervisory roles.
- Day 3 – Additional Pilots and Planning: Field testing continued at SHCs Bolchugre and Gonchudare with Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs). The day concluded with a final debrief on operational planning, timelines, and data quality measures.
The field visits allowed the team to further validate the tool in different facility settings and practice field coordination. In the final debrief session, participants discussed key learnings, resolved remaining doubts, and clarified operational matters related to data quality, team logistics, and timelines. The training successfully built participant confidence and preparedness to conduct the HWC facility survey in West Garo Hills. Through hands-on practice and real-facility visits, the team gained critical skills in data collection, ethical conduct, and use of digital tools.
