Readiness of primary health centers and community health centers for providing noncommunicable diseases-related services in Bengaluru, South India

Context: India is experiencing a rapid health transition with a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Primary health centers (PHCs) and community health centers (CHCs) are the key health-care delivery institutions providing majority of health-care services to the Indian population. Aim: We assessed the service readiness of PHCs and CHCs to bear the responsibility of providing NCD-related services. Settings and Design: This design was a facility-based quantitative cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted on randomly selected 36 PHCs and six CHCs from five taluks of Bengaluru Urban District. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and observation of key items. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS software (SPSS Inc., IBM corp., Chicago, Illinois, United States). Ethical approval was obtained before the data collection. Results: Medical professionals were available only in 47.2% PHCs and 16.6% CHCs. About 94.4% PHCs and all CHCs were reported to have medical equipment. The percentage availability of necessary laboratory services was reported by 44.4% PHCs and 58.3% CHCs. Essential medicines were available only in 55.5% PHCs and 50% CHCs. Guideline materials and training for NCD prevention were given by 8.3% PHCs and 26.6% CHCs. Conclusion: This study found that readiness of PHCs and CHCs for providing NCD-related services was suboptimal. Therefore, primary health-care system strengthening in the form of human resources, functional laboratories, and equipment and supply of medicines is essential at PHCs and CHCs.