Neelkamal Alomayan Kalita* and Guru Vasishtha
Background: The utilization of healthcare services is low across developing nations. It is very challenging to provide healthcare services to the entire population, regardless of the development. In a given location, access to health care is influenced by various factors, including the availability of health services in the area (supply) and, the population of that location (demand). Therefore, this study identifies the shortfalls of PHCs in the district and its decline in coverage areas according to the variations in altitude as per the norm given by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
Materials and methods: Voronoi map analysis and Euclidean buffer model were used to measure the coverage of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) and its catchment area in both the hilly districts of Uttarakhand i.e., Rudraprayag and Chamoli.
Results: Though Uttarakhand has achieved 85% institutional delivery, it is way behind the target set by the National Population Policy 2000 to achieve 100% institutional delivery by 2010 in India. An apparent disparity in the coverage of healthcare services is observed. In some pockets of the Chamoli district, the population pressure on PHCs was as high as 50000 populations per PHC which is definitely due to the shortfall of PHCs.
Conclusions: Uttarakhand's healthcare coverage is low despite achieving 85% of institutional delivery. Population pressure on Primary Health Centres (PHCs) is high in Chamoli, causing a shortfall. Based on the terrain and elevation of the region, a dynamic population threshold for setting up PHCs, focusing mainly on coverage should be adopted. The findings of the study will be helpful for the government stakeholders, and policymakers in developing infrastructures to improve coverage and identification of optimal locations as well as population for setting up more PHCs.
Published Date: 2025-03-27; Received Date: 2024-06-07
