Evaluation of Availability of Physical Facilities at the Subcentres in Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh, India

The delivery of Primary Health Care services through a network of Primary Health Centers and Subcentres is the foundation of rural healthcare system. Since the Eighth Five Year Plan the emphasis has shifted from expansion of healthcare establishments to qualitative improvement in health services through strengthening of physical facilities.

To evaluate the availability and functional status of physical facilities at the subcentres in Mandla district

An observational study was carried out in 40 randomly selected subcentres using checklist containing 50 items. In order to evaluate the various physical facilities, these were grouped into 3 categories viz: Basic Amenities, Drugs and Supplies and furniture and equipments. A scoring system was adopted for ranking the subcentres. Staffing pattern of subcentres was assessed separately.

Government building was present in only 27.5% of the subcenters. 77.5% of subcentres were adequately staffed while the post of male health worker was lying vacant in 17.5% of subcenters. Grading of subcenters on the basis of physical facilities were as follows: Good (10% only), Satisfactory (42.5%) while Poor (47.5%). At many places where equipment and supplies were adequate, they were lying unused as the health workers were insufficiently trained in their proper usage or were too complacent to use them.

The physical facilities at the subcenters were grossly inadequate, only 10% of subcenters were graded as good. Majority of subcenters were adequately staffed.