Ahmedabad: State health minister Rushikesh Patel announced the establishment of 24 new primary health centres (PHCs) in the state. The decision was based on the population matrix.
According to national standards, one PHC is required for every 30,000 population, whereas for tribal areas, the ratio should be one PHC for every 20,000 persons. The calculation, however, is based on 2011 Census data, said senior officials.
The majority of the new PHCs are in districts such as Kutch, Gandhinagar, Pachmahal, and Mehsana. “The state has 1,499 active PHCs. The new PHCs are approved based on population and geographic conditions. So, people in these areas will not have to travel far. Every PHC will have a medical officer, lab technician, junior pharmacist, and other officials,” said Patel.