Correct Option
The correct option isA health centre comprising a nurse and a village health worker.
Explanation
The public health infrastructure in rural India is organized into a three-tier system based on population norms: the Sub-Centre (SC) at the peripheral level, the Primary Health Centre (PHC), and the Community Health Centre (CHC). This structure ensures that basic healthcare reaches the grassroots level.
Option Analysis
- A specialized hospital with multiple doctors and diagnostic labs. is incorrect: Specialized hospitals with multiple doctors, specialists, and advanced diagnostic labs are typically found at the district level (District Hospitals) or in large urban areas. They serve as referral units for lower-tier centres.
- A health centre comprising a nurse and a village health worker. is correct: At the village level, the public health system is represented by the Sub-Centre. It is generally staffed by an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and a Multi-Purpose Worker (Male). They are trained to handle common illnesses, provide immunization, and offer maternal and child health services under the supervision of doctors at the Primary Health Centre (PHC).
- A District Hospital supervising all nearby urban centres. is incorrect: A District Hospital is a secondary care facility that supervises health services for an entire district. It is not located at the village level.
- A mobile clinic run exclusively by private NGOs. is incorrect: While private NGOs may run mobile clinics, they do not constitute the official structure of the state-run public health system. The public system is government-owned and operated.
Key Takeaway: The Sub-Centre is the most peripheral outpost of the public health system in rural India, designed to provide essential primary healthcare services through paramedical staff like ANMs.