8743 Public Health Centers (PHCS) Functional in the Country

New Delhi December 18, 2013: A total of 8743 Public Health Centers (PHCs) are functioning 24X7 in the country. Well-equipped Public Health Centers (PHCs) manned by doctors and well trained staff is one of the key strategies inter-alia to reduce Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR). As per the Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES) -2009, 73% of deliveries are being conducted in facilities, with an aim to reduce newborn and maternal mortality. Equipping the Public Health Facilities and training of service providers shall help bringing in quality improvements, thereby, help reducing the U5MR. 

Public health is a state subject. Under National Health Mission (NHM), support is provided to States/UTs for strengthening the public health systems including support for well-equipped public health centres (PHCs) manned by doctors and well trained staff present round the clock. 

States have been intimating their requirement for such support under National Health Mission/NRHM through their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) which are appraised at the Ministry and approvals accorded keeping in mind the resource envelope available to the state. 

This was stated by Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.  CCI Newswire