(a) the number of Rural Health Centres (RHCs) functioning with a qualified Medical Officer,
State-wise;
(b) the number of RHCs defunct, State-wise;
(c) the reasons therefore;
(d) whether the Government has any plan to rejuvenate the defunct RHCs; and
(e) if so, the details of action taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a) to ( c): There are 22669 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) Â functioning in the country on
the basis of reports submitted by the States as on March, 2006. Out of these 16113 PHCs are
functioning with at least one doctor as reported by the States. The State of Jharkhand, Tamil
Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have not reported the status of PHCs functioning with doctors. Although
the number of doctors sanctioned in PHCs are more than requirement (26229 against requirement
of 22669), 1314 PHCs are reported to be without a doctor (as on March, 2006) because of mis-
distribution, poor transfer policy of the State Government, lack of basic amenities and
incentive for working in rural/difficult areas. The State-wise position is given in the
Annexue-I.
(d) & (e): The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) envisages support to PHCs by provision
of one doctor including AYUSH practioners and 3 staff nurse to make PHCs 24 x 7 functional.
NRHM also envisages support for upgradation, drugs, equipment and manpower on contractual
basis. Untied fund of Rs. 25,000, Maintenance grant of Rs. 50,000 and grant of Rs. one lakh
to Rogi Kalyan Samiti of PHC is given to every PHC under NRHM. State/UT Governments have to
incorporate the requirement of funds for PHCs in their Annual Programme Implementation Plans
(PIPs). Under NRHM, States/UTs have appointed 6807 doctors/specialists, 36312 Auxulary Nurse
Midwife/Staff Nurses and have made 9395 PHCs 24 x 7 functional upto October, 2007.