Hospital Management Committee (HMC)
The Hospital Management Committee (HMC) is one of the most important committees working to facilitate the day-to-day functioning of government hospitals within the Grama Panchayat area, particularly Family Health Centres (FHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and to improve their physical infrastructure and facilities.
The HMC has broad responsibilities and powers to ensure people’s participation in the healthcare sector and to take prompt decisions regarding the immediate and essential needs of hospitals.
1. Structure of the HMC
The HMC is constituted at the Panchayat level with broad public participation.
Chairperson: Grama Panchayat President
Secretary & Convenor: Medical Officer of the concerned hospital
Vice Chairperson: Chairperson of the Health & Education Standing Committee
Member: Chairperson of the Welfare Standing Committee
Member: Grama Panchayat Ward Member representing the ward in which the hospital is located
Members: Two public representatives nominated by the Local Self-Government Institution, of whom one must be a woman
Member: Panchayat Secretary
Member: CDS Member Secretary
Member: CDS Society President
Members: Block Panchayat and District Panchayat members representing the Grama Panchayat area
Members: Representatives of various political parties / public representatives
Member: Health Inspector (HI / PRO)
Member: Medical Officer, Homoeopathic Dispensary
Member: Medical Officer, Ayurvedic Dispensary
Member: Home Care Nurse
Members: Two trained volunteers from the Home Care Team
Members: MLSP Nurses from the Janakeeya Arogya Kendrams (People’s Health Centres)
2. Key Responsibilities and Powers
Hospital Development and Maintenance:
Ensuring the maintenance and repair of hospital buildings and providing essential facilities such as adequate seating for patients, drinking water and clean sanitation facilities.
Appointment of Temporary Staff:
When there is a shortage of staff such as sweepers, security personnel, temporary nurses or laboratory technicians, the HMC has the authority to engage temporary personnel using HMC funds so that patient care is not disrupted.
Laboratory and Pharmacy Supervision:
Monitoring the functioning of hospital laboratories and ensuring the availability of medicines as required. The committee also monitors the proper functioning of facilities such as Karunya Pharmacy.
Fund Management:
Amounts collected through OP ticket charges, laboratory charges and other contributions are maintained as HMC funds. The Medical Officer and the Chairperson are authorised to utilise these funds for the hospital’s urgent and essential needs.
Grievance Redressal:
HMC meetings provide a platform to discuss and address complaints from the public regarding the functioning of the hospital or the conduct of its staff.
