Issue Details

PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES: POLICY AND PROGRAMME IN HARYANA

ABSTRACT

The concept of Primary Health Centre (PHC) is not new to India. The Bhore Committee in 1946 gave the concept of a PHC as a basic health unit . an integrated curative and preventive health 6th Five year Plan (1983-88) proposed reorganization of PHCs on the basis of one PHC for every 30,000 rural population in the plains and one PHC for every 20,000 population in hilly, tribal and backward areas for more effective coverage. Since then, 24855 PHCs have been established in the country (March,2019). In this paper, we illuminate challenges posed by contexts to the implementation of the Primary Health Centres (PHC) approach, using the example of primary health centres (rural peripheral health units) in India and Haryana. We first present a historical review of ‘written’ policies in India—to understand macro contextual influences on primary health centres. Then we highlight micro level issues at primary health centres using a contemporary case study of Haryana with health care infrastructure. The Indian Health Care System is presently facing several challenges. For attaining the goal of Health for All, India requires not only logical pulling of existing Strategies in education but also training of medical education is necessary. This paper highlights some contextual complexities of implementing PHC—considering macro and micro level issues. The Strengthening of Primary Health Care system has to be attained through the participation of the people.

FULL TEXT