Why in News: PHC doctors face overwork, administrative overload, and burnout, raising concern for systemic reforms in primary health care.
Significance of PHC Doctors
- Backbone of India’s primary health system; first point of contact for ~30,000 people in rural areas (20,000 in hilly/tribal; 50,000 in urban).
- Act as clinicians, planners, coordinators, and leaders bridging community and policy.
- Anchor national programmes: immunisation, school health, vector control, maternal & child health, disease surveillance.
Multifaceted Responsibilities
- Clinical: Handle ~100 outpatients daily; manage antenatal OPDs with ~100 pregnant women.
- Public Health: Mentor ASHA/ANMs, participate in gram sabhas, conduct health education, outbreak response.
- Administrative: Maintain 100+ registers + multiple digital platforms (IHIP, HMIS, IDSP, PHR, AB portal, UWIN).
Challenges Faced
1. Crushing workload – wide medical spectrum from neonatal to geriatric care, with limited time.
2. Administrative overload – duplication of paper and digital records.
3. Knowledge pressure – frequent guideline updates with little scope for research/learning.
4. Burnout – emotional exhaustion, detachment, reduced compassion (WHO: recognised occupational phenomenon).
5. Systemic mismatch – high expectations, low staffing, minimal recognition or incentives.
Way Forward
- Streamline documentation: reduce redundant registers; enable automation.
- Delegate non-clinical tasks to trained staff.
- Adopt global models: e.g., U.S. “25 by 5” campaign to cut documentation time.
- Policy support: Adequate staffing, incentives, mental health support.
- Shift from compliance to facilitation; ensure PHCs remain the foundation of Universal Health Coverage (SDG 3.8).
Conclusion
Without caring for PHC doctors, India’s vision of equitable, resilient, and sustainable health care will remain incomplete. Investing in their well-being is investing in national health security.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II (Governance, Social Justice, Health): Role of PHCs in ensuring equitable access, Universal Health Coverage (SDG 3.8), challenges of public health delivery, and policy reforms.
Mains Practice Question
Q. “Primary Health Centre doctors form the backbone of India’s health system but face systemic neglect.” Discuss challenges and suggest reforms.