Primary Health Centre
Explanation
The public health infrastructure in rural India is organized into a three-tier system based on population norms recommended by the Bhore Committee (1946). This hierarchy ensures the delivery of comprehensive primary health care to the grassroots level.Option Analysis
- Public Health Clinic, People's Health Care, and Primary Hospital Corporation are Incorrect: These terms are not officially recognized in the context of the Indian public health system.
- Primary Health Centre is Correct: PHC stands for Primary Health Centre.
- Role: It serves as the first contact point between the village community and the Medical Officer. It acts as a referral unit for Sub-Centres (SCs) and refers cases to Community Health Centres (CHCs).
- Population Norms: A PHC is generally established for a population of 30,000 in plains and 20,000 in hilly/tribal/desert areas.
- Administration: Under the 11th Schedule of the Constitution (added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992), "Health and sanitation, including hospitals, primary health centres, and dispensaries" is a function devolved to Panchayats.
- Staffing: It is typically manned by a Medical Officer supported by paramedical and other staff.