The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The rural public health infrastructure in India is organized into a three-tier system based on population norms: the Sub-Centre (SC) at the most peripheral level, the Primary Health Centre (PHC), and the Community Health Centre (CHC). The PHC acts as the first contact point between the village community and the Medical Officer.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are not located at the district headquarters. District headquarters typically house District Hospitals, which serve as secondary or tertiary care facilities. PHCs are established to cover a specific rural population (30,000 in plains and 20,000 in hilly/tribal areas) and are located within the rural blocks they serve.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The PHC is responsible for implementing national health programs and providing preventive, promotive, and curative services. It supervises the field staff, including Health Assistants and village-level health workers (such as ASHAs and ANMs) working at the Sub-Centres.
- Statement 3 is Correct. A single PHC covers a cluster of villages to meet the population norms mentioned above. It generally acts as a referral unit for approximately 6 Sub-Centres, thereby serving a defined rural area comprising multiple villages.
Key Takeaway
Primary Health Centres (PHCs) function as the first level of institutional medical care in rural areas, bridging the gap between village-level Sub-Centres and the specialist care available at Community Health Centres (CHCs) or District Hospitals.