Primary Health Centre (PHC) is first point of contact between community and a medical officer, it bridges gap between sub-centres and District Hospitals. It is design for a population of 20,000 to 30,000 people.
Functions of a PHC
1. Medical and Outpatient Care
PHCs provide essential curative services for common ailments. It includes:
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Outpatient Department (OPD): Daily clinics for diagnosing and treating minor illnesses like fever, respiratory infections, and minor injuries.
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Drug Supply: Dispensing free medicines (up to 171 essential drugs under 2026 guidelines) to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
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Diagnostics: Conducting routine tests (e.g., blood sugar, malaria, hemoglobin) using onsite laboratory facilities.
2. Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
Primary focus of PHC is reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
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Antenatal and Postnatal Care: Routine check-ups for pregnant women and follow-ups after delivery.
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Many PHCs operate 24/7 to provide institutional delivery services.
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Implementation of the Universal Immunization Programme to protect children against diseases like Polio, Measles, and Hepatitis B.
3. Prevention and Control of Endemic Diseases
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Surveillance & Monitoring the breakout of diseases like Malaria, Dengue, or Tuberculosis within the community.
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National Health Programs: Implementing specific initiatives like National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) and Leprosy eradication.
4. Expanded Services: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Modern PHCs have expanded their scope to address lifestyle diseases.
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Screening: Regular screening for Hypertension, Diabetes, and common cancers (Oral, Breast, and Cervical).
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Wellness Activities: Promoting Yoga and physical exercise as part of the “Health and Wellness” mandate.
Key Pillars of Primary Health Care
| Pillar | Description |
| Equitable Distribution | Ensuring services reach most vulnerable and remote populations without discrimination. |
| Community Participation | Involving local leaders and volunteers (like ASHAs) in planning and implementing health initiatives. |
| Intersectoral Coordination | Collaborating with sectors like education (school health), sanitation (clean water), and agriculture (nutrition). |
| Appropriate Technology | Using scientifically sound yet affordable tools, such as solar-powered vaccine refrigerators or telemedicine. |
Team
Under Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022, a PHC is typically staffed by:
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Medical Officer (MO): Team leader responsible for clinical and administrative tasks.
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Nursing Staff & Pharmacists: For patient care and medicine management.
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Lab Technicians: For diagnostic accuracy.
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Health Assistants (Male/Female): For outreach and community monitoring.
One of the most critical functions of a PHC is “Referral.” By screening patients and managing simple cases locally, PHCs act as gatekeepers, preventing overcrowding of tertiary hospitals with cases that do not require specialist intervention.
Impact
By moving from illness to wellness, PHCs are no longer just places to get a prescription. They are centers for community empowerment, environmental health monitoring (water quality testing), and life course care from birth to palliative care for elderly.