ANNOUNCEMENTS
This study explores the state of primary health care (PHC) in Chhattisgarh, a central Indian state marked by widespread rurality, a significant tribal population, and persistent health disparities. Despite national efforts to strengthen PHC through the National Health Mission and the Ayushman Bharat programme—with the introduction of Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)—ground-level challenges such as staff shortages, infrastructure gaps, and uneven service delivery continue to hinder healthcare access, particularly in remote and tribal regions.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines secondary data from national surveys (NFHS-5, Rural Health Statistics, SRS) with insights from 20 stakeholders, including government health officials, Mitanins (community health workers), and doctors. Key findings reveal that 75% of respondents identified poor staff morale and lack of professional development as major challenges, while 80% pointed to inadequate infrastructure. Despite the rollout of HWCs and Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs), systemic issues such as inadequate training, unclear referral pathways, and limited community trust continue to affect service quality and uptake.
The study also examines the role of digital health tools in expanding access to care. Although platforms like e-Sanjeevani have been introduced, their impact remains limited due to low digital literacy and connectivity in rural areas.
The thesis concludes that while policy frameworks are well-intentioned and ambitious, their implementation needs significant strengthening. Investing in rural health workforce development, improving digital infrastructure and capacity, and establishing robust community-based monitoring mechanisms are critical to closing the equity gap in primary health care and ensuring that the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 can be meaningfully achieved in Chhattisgarh.
Key words: Primary Healthcare Centres, Chhattisgarh, Digital Health, Challenges, Policy Initiatives.
