A recent ICMR study highlights that India’s lower-tier health facilities are inadequately prepared for diabetes and hypertension care, with significant gaps in diagnostics, staffing, and medicine availability.
Relevance : GS 2(Health, Governance)
Key Findings
- Survey Scope:
- Cross-sectional survey across 19 districts in 7 States.
- Total 415 health facilities surveyed; 75.7% were public facilities.
- 57.6% were primary care facilities.
- 53.3% located in rural areas.
- Overall Readiness:
- Sub-centres: Lowest readiness at 61%.
- Community Health Centres (CHCs): 59% readiness.
- Primary Health Centres (PHCs): 73% readiness – better than other public primary-level facilities.
- Private primary care facilities (Level 2): Only 57% readiness.
- District hospitals & tertiary care centres (public/private): Above 70% – considered prepared.
- Preparedness Criteria Used:
- Based on WHO’s Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA).
- Parameters included: Equipment, diagnostics, staff, medicines, guidelines, and data systems.
Key Concerns Identified
- Infrastructure gaps at lower-tier facilities (sub-centres, CHCs).
- Inadequate diagnostic capacity at district hospitals, despite being secondary-level facilities.
- Weak drug supply chains and data systems at primary care level.
- Private primary care also lags behind public PHCs in readiness.
Recommendations by Experts
- Human Resource Strengthening: Ensure adequate staffing at all public health levels.
- Supply Chain Improvements: Provide an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines for diabetes and hypertension.
- Diagnostic Services:Upgrade diagnostic facilities at district hospitals to manage complications.
- Programme Management: Deploy dedicated programme managers to ensure full utilization of services.
- Data & Guidelines: Improve health information systems and ensure availability of standard treatment guidelines.
Implications
- India’s frontline rural healthcare (sub-centres, CHCs) is underprepared for managing NCDs.
- PHCs show relatively better readiness, indicating success of certain public health investments.
- Highlights the urgent need for systemic strengthening in infrastructure, diagnostics, and human resources to handle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
