Primary Health Centre
Encyclopedia
The Primary Health Centre (PHC) is the basic structural and functional unit of the public health
services in developing countries. PHCs were established to provide accessible, affordable and available primary health care
to people, in accordance with the Alma Ata Declaration
of 1978 by the member nations of the World Health Organisation WHO
.
, PHCs are the basic first-line units providing primary health care. Theoretically, there is one PHC for every 30,000 of population. Each PHC has five or six sub-centres staffed by health workers for outreach services such as immunization, basic curative care
services, and maternal and child health services. PHCs generally consist of one or more doctors, a pharmacist, a staff nurse, and other paramedical support staff. GOBI-FFF is a model of a PHC.
In India, PHCs form a basic part of the health care system. The Medical Officer appointed to run the PHC must be a MBBS
degree holder. In addition to the provision of diagnostic and curative services, the Medical Officer acts as the primary administrator for the PHC. The primary field staff, who provide outreach services, are called "ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist
)" or a village health nurse, depending upon the Indian state where the PHC is located. The village health nurse provides service at the point of care, often in the patient's home. If additional diagnostic testing or clinical intervention is required, the patient is transported to the PHC to be evaluated by the Medical Officer. Under the national rural health mission, PHCs are rapidly being upgraded.
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
services in developing countries. PHCs were established to provide accessible, affordable and available primary health care
Primary health care
Primary health care, often abbreviated as “PHC”, has been defined as "essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost...
to people, in accordance with the Alma Ata Declaration
Alma Ata Declaration
The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care , Almaty , currently in Kazakhstan, 6-12 September 1978. It expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the...
of 1978 by the member nations of the World Health Organisation WHO
Who
Who may refer to:* Who , an English-language pronoun* who , a Unix command* Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism- Art and entertainment :* Who? , a 1958 novel by Algis Budrys...
.
Description
In South AsiaSouth Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, PHCs are the basic first-line units providing primary health care. Theoretically, there is one PHC for every 30,000 of population. Each PHC has five or six sub-centres staffed by health workers for outreach services such as immunization, basic curative care
Curative care
Curative care or curative medicine is the kind of health care traditionally oriented towards seeking a cure for an existent disease or medical condition...
services, and maternal and child health services. PHCs generally consist of one or more doctors, a pharmacist, a staff nurse, and other paramedical support staff. GOBI-FFF is a model of a PHC.
In India, PHCs form a basic part of the health care system. The Medical Officer appointed to run the PHC must be a MBBS
MBBS
MBBS was a popular BBS system in the Nordic countries during the mid-1990s. It was created by a team of Oslo-based enthusiasts, led by Mike Robertson. As many BBS systems of that era, it was only available for the DOS platform. Since one process could only handle one node, multitaskers such as...
degree holder. In addition to the provision of diagnostic and curative services, the Medical Officer acts as the primary administrator for the PHC. The primary field staff, who provide outreach services, are called "ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist
Accredited Social Health Activist
Accredited Social Health Activists are community health workers instituted by the Government of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as part of the National Rural Health Mission . The Mission began in 2005; full implementation is targeted for 2012...
)" or a village health nurse, depending upon the Indian state where the PHC is located. The village health nurse provides service at the point of care, often in the patient's home. If additional diagnostic testing or clinical intervention is required, the patient is transported to the PHC to be evaluated by the Medical Officer. Under the national rural health mission, PHCs are rapidly being upgraded.