(a) whether any scheme for setting up Primary Health Centres especially in the rural areas of the country has been launched by the Government;
(b) if so, the date on which this scheme was launched and the expenditure increased thereon so far;
(c) the details of the rural areas of the country where Primary Health Centres have been opened till-date; and
(d) the time by which such centers are targetted to be opened in the remaining rural areas of the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. RITA VERMA)
(a) Yes, Sir. A Scheme was launched for establishment of Primary Health Centres in Community Development Block, as part of Community Development Programme.
(b) The Scheme was launched on October 2, 1952. These Centres are established and maintained by the respective State Governments out of State Budgets and funds allocated under Basic Minimum Services Programme, which allows the Governments to choose their priority areas out of seven Basic Minimum Services.
(c) A State-wise list of the number of Primary Health Centres functioning in the country at present is annexed.
(d) Primary health Centres are established based on established population norms i.e. one PHC for every 30,000 population in plain areas and 20,000 in hilly/tribal areas. As the population of the rural areas is not constant, the position regarding new Centres is reviewed before formulation of Five Year Plans and targets for new Centres are set, keeping in view the financial limitation. During the Ninth Five Year Plan Period, a target to establish 1521 new PHCs has been set up.