Fixing our Primary Health Care Centers

Fixing Our Primary Health Care Centres

Primary health care (PHC) centres are the first place most families go when they are sick. But many face three big problems: too few health workers, poor buildings and equipment, and high out-of-pocket costs that push families away from care.

My policy idea is a PHC Strengthening Policy:

1. Staff: Give health workers in rural areas extra allowances and housing support, and train more community health workers.
2. Infrastructure: Protect part of the state health budget for PHC upgrades, such as water, electricity, drugs, and equipment, and publish yearly how it was spent.
3. Cost: Enrol low-income families in the state health insurance scheme, and make services like antenatal care and child immunisation free.

When PHC centres are staffed, equipped, and affordable, families get care early, and fewer end up in expensive hospitals.