Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Annexure 8
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Southern Region Public Hearing on the
Right to Health Care Held on 29 th
August, 2004 at Chennai
Key Findings and Recommendations in Response to Oral and
Written Testimonies for the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Pondicherry
1. Access to Primary Health Care through the Public Sector Health
System
Primary health care is understood in a more limited way as services made available through
Sub-Centre (SCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
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Pondicherry received positive community response regarding the availability and quality of
primary health care services.
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There were no complaints from Kerala though issues regarding essential drugs, environmental
health and trauma care were raised which come within a broader understanding of primary
health care (covered in item 5,6,7).
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In Karnataka and AP the irrational siting of PHCs (possibly under political pressure) made
access to health care very difficult and sometimes impossible. Some of the farthest villages
were 40 – 50 kms away, and in other cases there was no easy bus access to PHCs / SCs. In
AP; subcentres that were supposed to be there were non-existent or non-functional. In
Tamilnadu, Karnataka and AP there were problems with regard to quality of care, referrals
and staff attitudes.
Recommendation 1
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The siting/distribution and physical accessibility of PHCs and subcentres must be ensured.
They should provide good quality services during the prescribed timings. Indicators and
mechanisms for monitoring quality of care need to be developed and used. No money
should be taken for services that are to be provided free. The citizens charter for services at
PHCs should be prominently displayed and implemented. Staff vacancies need to be filled
up and staff needs such as quarters, toilets, water supply and electricity need to be ensured.
Adequate provision of medicines, laboratory equipment and consumables, registers etc is a
basic requirement. Maintaining staff motivation through good management practices will
help improve the quality of services and to foster a relationship of mutual respect and trust
between providers and people.
National Human Rights Commission Annual Report - 2004-2005
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