PSM High-Yield: Healthcare Delivery Systems
In India, the public healthcare system is organized into a three-tier structure designed to provide comprehensive, universal healthcare.
The Three-Tier Infrastructure
| Level | Facility | Population Coverage (Plain) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Sub-Centre (HWC) / PHC | 3,000–5,000 / 20,000–30,000 |
| Secondary | Community Health Centre (CHC) | 80,000–1,20,000 |
| Tertiary | District Hospital / Medical College | District Level |
Key Delivery Concepts
- Primary Health Care: Defined as essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods.
- Referral System: A hierarchical movement of patients from lower-level facilities to specialized centers.
- Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Ensuring all people have access to the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.
High-Yield Exam Pearl:
- PHC Staffing: A PHC covers 30,000 in plains and 20,000 in hilly/tribal areas.
- CHC Staffing: The “First Referral Unit” (FRU) for the primary health care system.
- Principles of PHC: Equitable distribution, community participation, intersectoral coordination, and appropriate technology.