What Is Chaddha Committee?

The Chaddha Committee is one of the key health committees formed in India to strengthen the country’s approach to controlling communicable diseases, especially tuberculosis (TB). It was established during a period when infectious diseases were a major public health threat, and the health system needed a more organized way to detect, monitor, and manage these illnesses.

Why it was formed

India in the mid-20th century was struggling with high disease burden, limited health workers, and poor surveillance systems. The government realized that controlling diseases like TB, malaria, smallpox, and leprosy required structured community-level action rather than isolated treatment.

Core Purpose

The committee was created to recommend how the country could:

• Improve early detection of communicable diseases
• Organize health workers at the grassroots level
• Strengthen community-based follow-up and home visits
• Build a reliable disease surveillance and reporting system

Why it matters to students and professionals

For those studying nursing, community health, public health, ANM/GNM, and preparing for competitive exams, the Chaddha Committee is important because it shaped how India’s primary healthcare system evolved. Many national programs we see today—especially TB control—are influenced by its recommendations.

In short: The committee helped India transition from a scattered, treatment-focused system to a more organized, community-centered approach to disease control.

Historical Background and Context

Public Health Situation in the 1950s–60s

During this period, India was dealing with:

• High prevalence of tuberculosis (TB)
• Widespread malaria and smallpox
• Inadequate disease detection systems
• Poor community awareness of prevention
• Very few trained field-level health workers

The government recognized that without a strong community-based structure, disease control programs would continue to struggle.

Why a Committee Was Needed

A dedicated committee was essential because the country required:

• A unified strategy to control major infectious diseases
• Recommendations on how to reorganize field staff for better efficiency
• A proper reporting and surveillance system
• Clear guidelines on how health workers should operate at the village level

The Chaddha Committee was formed to bring expert-driven solutions to these pressing issues.

How This Set the Stage for Reforms

This period represents the shift from reactive, hospital-based care to proactive, community-level health services. The committee’s recommendations later influenced several national health programs and helped India build a more structured public health system.

Objectives of the Chaddha Committee

Its objectives focused on improving early detection, effective follow-up, and better coordination among health workers.

a) Strengthen TB Surveillance in the Community

At the time, TB cases were often identified late, leading to ongoing transmission.
The committee aimed to:

• Detect TB cases earlier
• Ensure consistent home visits
• Monitor patients’ progress more closely

Early detection was seen as the foundation of effective TB control.

b) Create an Organized Field Workforce

India lacked a structured system of health workers at the village level.
The committee wanted to:

• Introduce a dedicated Basic Health Worker (BHW)
• Merge the roles of malaria and smallpox workers
• Reduce duplication of field work
• Improve reach in rural communities

This approach was meant to make disease control programs more efficient.

c) Improve Recording and Reporting Systems

Reliable data was essential but missing.
The committee emphasized:

• Standardized registers
• Regular reporting
• Proper case documentation
• Better communication between field staff and health centers

Accurate data helps identify trends and plan interventions.

d) Strengthen Coordination and Training

To ensure smooth functioning, the committee stressed:

• Training health workers in TB surveillance
• Clear supervision channels
• Coordination between national, state, and local health departments

A trained and well-coordinated workforce was crucial for consistent results.

e) Promote Community Participation and Health Education

The committee recognized that disease control is most effective when the community is aware and engaged.
It encouraged:

• Home visits
• Health education sessions
• Involving families in TB treatment support

This helped bridge the gap between the health system and the people.

Key Recommendations of the Chaddha Committee

The Chaddha Committee proposed several major recommendations to strengthen the control of communicable diseases, especially tuberculosis, at the grassroots level. These recommendations focused on reorganizing field staff, improving surveillance, and building a reliable reporting system.

a) Introduction of the Basic Health Worker (BHW)

This was the committee’s most important recommendation.

• A single multipurpose worker should be appointed at village level.
• This worker would handle duties related to TB, malaria, smallpox, and other communicable diseases.
• The goal was to avoid duplication and ensure one trained worker covers the entire area effectively.

The BHW became the backbone of rural disease surveillance.

b) Merger of Disease-Control Field Staff

Instead of having separate workers for malaria, smallpox, etc., the committee suggested combining them into one integrated role.

• This increased efficiency
• Reduced overlapping responsibilities
• Helped streamline communication and supervision

A unified workforce ensures faster response and better coverage.

c) Strengthening TB Surveillance and Detection

The committee emphasized:

• Routine home visits
• Identifying individuals with persistent cough
• Referring suspected cases for testing
• Ensuring treatment follow-up

Early detection is essential for breaking the chain of disease transmission.

d) Reliable Record-Keeping and Reporting System

To improve monitoring, the committee proposed:

• Standardized TB registers
• Regular reporting from field workers
• Systematic documentation of patients and contacts
• Communication between BHWs and PHCs

Accurate data helps in planning and tracking progress.

e) Training of Field Staff

The committee highlighted the need to provide:

• Training on identifying TB symptoms
• Skills for conducting home visits
• Methods for educating the community
• Clear guidance on reporting procedures

A skilled worker leads to better-quality surveillance.

f) Laboratory Support and Diagnostic Strengthening

To support field efforts, the committee recommended better lab facilities that can:

• Test sputum samples
• Confirm diagnosis quickly
• Reduce delays in starting treatment

Better diagnostics mean better disease control.

g) Coordination Between Health Agencies

The committee also stressed strong coordination between:

• Primary health centers (PHCs)
• District health authorities
• State and national TB programs

When all levels work together, programs deliver better results.

Role of the Basic Health Worker (BHW)

The Basic Health Worker (BHW) was introduced as the central figure for community-level disease control based on the Chaddha Committee’s recommendations.

This role was designed to ensure early detection, continuous follow-up, and strong community engagement, especially for tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.

a) Conduct Regular Home Visits

The BHW is responsible for visiting each household in their assigned area. During these visits, they:

• Identify individuals with prolonged cough or symptoms of TB
• Provide basic health advice
• Build trust with families
• Observe environmental factors that may affect health

Home visits form the foundation of effective surveillance.

b) Early Detection and Referral of TB Cases

One of the main responsibilities is spotting suspected TB cases early. The BHW:

• Screens for TB symptoms
• Refers suspected patients to the Primary Health Centre
• Ensures sputum samples reach the lab
• Tracks suspected cases until diagnosis is confirmed

This reduces delays in starting treatment.

c) Treatment Follow-Up and Patient Support

After diagnosis, the BHW plays a key role in treatment adherence. They:

• Check whether patients are taking medicines regularly
• Monitor side effects
• Offer counselling and support
• Encourage family involvement in the patient’s care

This ensures better treatment outcomes and prevents drug resistance.

d) Maintain Accurate Records and Reports

The BHW keeps structured records of:

• Suspected and confirmed TB cases
• Home visits
• Follow-up actions
• Treatment status of patients

This data helps health authorities track disease trends.

e) Provide Health Education to the Community

Education is a major part of the role. The BHW teaches people about:

• TB symptoms and prevention
• Importance of completing treatment
• Hygiene and sanitation practices
• Reducing stigma around communicable diseases

Awareness reduces fear and increases cooperation.

f) Support Other Disease Control Programs

Since the BHW is a multipurpose worker, they also assist in:

• Malaria detection and prevention
• Smallpox and other vaccination campaigns
• Leprosy control activities
• General health promotion initiatives

This integrated role ensures efficient use of manpower.

g) Act as a Link Between the Community and the Health System

The BHW ensures smooth communication by:

• Updating PHC staff about the health situation in villages
• Bringing community concerns to health officials
• Providing timely feedback to families about reports and tests

This strengthens trust and improves service delivery.

Impact of the Chaddha Committee on India’s Public Health System

The Chaddha Committee left a long-lasting influence on how India manages communicable diseases. Its recommendations helped shift the nation from scattered, disease-specific efforts to a more integrated, community-based health system. This transformation strengthened surveillance, improved early detection, and made rural health services more efficient.

a) Foundation of a Multipurpose Health Workforce

One of the biggest impacts was the introduction of the Basic Health Worker (BHW).

• This marked the beginning of India’s multipurpose health worker system.
• It reduced duplication of work by merging roles of various disease-control workers.
• It helped create a more coordinated and efficient field-level workforce.

This structure is still reflected in today’s health worker cadres.

b) Strengthening TB Control in India

The committee’s focus on early detection, home visits, and regular follow-up improved the way TB was managed.

• Surveillance became more systematic.
• More suspected cases were detected earlier.
• Treatment adherence improved because of consistent follow-up.

These practices laid the groundwork for later national TB control programs.

c) Better Disease Surveillance and Reporting

The emphasis on standardized registers and regular reporting helped India build a more reliable information system.

• Health workers began documenting cases more accurately.
• Data-driven planning became possible.
• Trends in disease spread could be monitored more effectively.

This was an essential step toward modern epidemiological surveillance.

d) Enhanced Coordination Across the Health System

The committee encouraged better communication between:

• Field workers
• Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
• District health authorities
• National disease control programs

This improved program supervision and ensured that the health system functioned in a more unified way.

e) Foundation for Future National Health Programs

The committee’s ideas influenced:

• The National TB Control Programme (NTCP)
• Expanded roles for multipurpose health workers
• Strengthening of PHCs and subcentres
• Integration of various disease control initiatives

Many public health strategies used today trace their roots to the Chaddha Committee.

f) Long-Term Impact on Rural Healthcare Delivery

By promoting community-level surveillance and home visits, the committee:

• Brought healthcare closer to rural households
• Increased community trust in health workers
• Improved early intervention for communicable diseases

This model continues to guide community health practice in India.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

These FAQs cover the most commonly searched questions about the Chaddha Committee. Each answer is clear, concise, and helpful for students preparing for exams or writing assignments.

a) What was the main aim of the Chaddha Committee?

The primary aim was to strengthen the surveillance and control of communicable diseases—especially tuberculosis—through a structured community-based system.
It focused on early detection, home visits, and better field-level coordination.

b) Who is a Basic Health Worker (BHW)?

A Basic Health Worker is a multipurpose frontline health worker introduced based on the committee’s recommendations.
Their duties include:

• Home visits
• Detecting suspected TB cases
• Recording and reporting
• Educating the community
• Supporting other disease control programs

They act as the link between the community and the health system.

c) How did the committee help improve TB control in India?

The committee emphasized:

• Screening for TB symptoms during home visits
• Referring suspected cases quickly
• Ensuring proper treatment follow-up
• Maintaining accurate TB records

This led to earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.

d) Why is the Chaddha Committee important for nursing, public health, and competitive exams?

It is included in curricula because it:

• Shaped India’s primary healthcare structure
• Introduced the concept of multipurpose workers
• Strengthened national TB control
• Influenced modern health programs

Understanding the committee helps students grasp how India’s community health system evolved.

e) What was the major structural change recommended by the committee?

The committee recommended merging disease-specific field workers into a single Basic Health Worker role.
This improved efficiency, simplified supervision, and enhanced full-area coverage.

f) Is the Chaddha Committee still relevant today?

Yes, its principles continue to guide modern programs.
Home visits, symptom screening, early referral, multipurpose workers, and structured reporting systems are still core components of disease surveillance today.