Preparedness for health-related SDGs among healthcare workers in a rural district of Maharashtra with reference to achievements of MDGs 4, 5 and 6

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers at field level constitute a major pillar in the large public health infrastructure of India. At this juncture, it becomes necessary to understand their role in achieving MDGs, issues, and challenges on the field and how ‘prepared’ they are to embark upon the new responsibilities in the coming 15 years to achieve the SDGs. This will form a springboard for the next generation of healthcare providers to successfully achieve the SDGs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative research study was conducted in the rural part of Thane district from September 2016- March 2017. Four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were done to assess the role, activities, reasons for successes and shortcomings of MDG indicators for healthcare providers and thereby assess preparedness for achieving health-related SDGs at the grass-root level. RESULTS: Major challenges faced in the field were cultural barriers, poverty, illiteracy, fear, disregard for the health workers. There were challenges in human resource management such as workload, unpaid work, dissatisfaction, grievance redressal, leaves, etc., Suggested technical and health-centric interventions were skill development, supportive supervision, incentives and better implementation of new policies. Training in soft skills is needed. CONCLUSIONS: The health workers seem to be unaware of the term MDGs/SDGs but, showed a deep sense of commitment towards improving the health of people and meeting their work targets despite the challenges faced in the field. Their justified concerns need to be addressed to have better retention and improved performance.