What Is Primary Health Care and How Does It Work in India's Health System?
Primary health care is the first level of healthcare that people generally access for common health needs, preventive services and basic treatment. It focuses on making essential healthcare accessible within communities rather than requiring people to visit specialised hospitals for every medical concern. In India, primary health care plays an important role in disease prevention, maternal and child health, immunisation, health education and treatment of common illnesses. Primary healthcare facilities can also identify conditions that require specialist attention and refer patients to higher-level facilities. What does primary health care mean? Primary health care refers to essential healthcare services that are accessible to individuals and communities close to where they live. It covers more than treating illness and includes health promotion, disease prevention, early diagnosis, basic treatment and rehabilitation support. The approach is designed to address common healthcare ...