Are our subcenters equipped enough to provide primary health care to the community: A study to explore the gaps in workforce and infrastructure in the subcenters from North India

BACKGROUND: A Sub-Centre (SC) is most peripheral and first point of contact between the primary healthcare system and the community in the rural areas. The success of any nationwide program largely depends on well-functioning SCs providing services of acceptable standards to people. Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for SCs was prepared keeping in view the minimum standards required to provide quality and need sensitive health care to the community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ambala District of Haryana to assess the availability of physical infrastructure, manpower, drugs and equipment in the SCs. A total of 30 SCs from a rural block was selected. The data was statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The deficiencies in the availability of health workers male and female were found to be 66.6% and 50%, respectively. The residential facility for health workers was available only in 33.3% SCs but none being utilized. Although labour room with labour table was present in half of the Sub Centers, the deliveries were found to be conducted in none of those. Only 40% and 26.6% of SCs had stethoscope and functional B.P apparatus. The availability of essential drugs and equipment was also poor. CONCLUSION: The physical infrastructure and manpower availability at the SCs needs considerable improvement as per the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS). Poor availability of essential drugs and equipment needs to be addressed at the earliest.