A Study on Primary Health Centre and Its Role on Public Service in Salem District

Abstract

Primary Health Centre (PHC) is the most vital component of Public Health Care System as it is the first place of contact between the citizens and the Public Health System. The government is trying to improve the delivery of health care services through various pro-grammes, so as to improve the health status of people. The most important aspect of the success of health programmes is the extent of availing of public health services by the people. Thereby, it would be necessary to ascertain the factors which help in better accessibility of public health care service by people especially at PHC level, so that health for all is achieved. As the government is trying to address health issues of rural and urban areas through separate programmes, there is need to examine whether there is any difference in the accessibility of PHC services in these areas. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) particularly those belonging to rural and low-income segments have been playing an important role in health care in India. Services given by the PHCs are by and large free for a customer. A typical PHC provides such services as consultation, limited clinical tests, immunization, mother and child care (both ante-natal and post-natal), and family planning and sterilization in addition to dispensing medicines including pills, injections, vaccines, drips, etc. The PHCs also have bed facilities for admitting patients who require continuous care of medical staff. Health workforce includes clinically trained health professionals, health management and support workers. Imbalance in health workforce is a major challenge, as its size and quality positively determine country’s ability to meet its goals of organizing and delivering health services, like immunization coverage, outreach of primary care etc.

Keywords