Analysis of Variations in Coverage of Primary Health Centre: a Comparative Study Based on Chamoli & Rudraprayag Districts

Abstract Background: Accessibility to the health center is poorly understood in most developing countries. Regardless of development, it is a challenge to provide healthcare services to the entire population. Access to health care in a given location is influenced by many factors, including the availability of health services in the area (supply), the number of people living in that location (demand), the population’s health status, the socio-economic and financial resources available to the population, people’s knowledge about health and the health care system, and geographical impedance between population and health services Methodology: To measure the coverage of the Primary Health Centre (PHC), a catchment area model has been made by Voronoi map analysis and with the help of Euclidean buffer modeling used in both the hill districts of Uttarakhand i.e. Rudraprayag & Chamoli. Results: Although Uttarakhand has achieved 85% of Institutional delivery, still it is very low according to the target set by National Population Policy 2000. It has been observed that there is an apparent disparity in the coverage of healthcare services. In a few pockets of the district, the population pressure on PHCs is as high as 50000 which is definitely due to the shortfall of PHCs in the district of Chamoli. The study identifies the rendered white zones of the district. It helps researchers and policymakers to develop infrastructure in terms of improving coverage of PHCs or identifying the optimal location as well as the population for setting up more PHCs. Conclusions: Uttarakhand's healthcare coverage is low despite achieving 85% of institutional delivery. Population pressure on Public Health Centres (PHCs) is high in Chamoli, causing a shortage. Based on the terrain and elevation of the region, a dynamic population threshold for setting up PHCs, focusing mainly on accessibility should be adopted.