Challenges And Innovations In The Primary Healthcare System Of Bihar: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

An evaluation of the Primary Healthcare (PHC) system in the state of Bihar reveals that it is fraught with numerous challenges including; inadequacy of infrastructure, acute shortage of qualified workforce, and lack of adequate finance – that undermines the provision of fair universal healthcare to the vastly rural population in Bihar. This review will also quantify and qualify PHC in Bihar today focusing on some key challenges including inadequate infrastructure equipment; scarcity of human resources; and sociocultural factors. Their basic needs comprise of lack of equipment and hospital beds; there are only 0.3 hospital beds per 1000 people and this is wanting according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Also, the doctor-to-patient ratio is extremely low, which has compounded the problem of rural healthcare inequity. New concepts such as telemedicine, mobile health applications, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and community-based programmes implemented through the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) model have been seen to help close these gaps. Disease diagnostics using Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitized health records and some other related technological innovations have enhanced disease identification and their management. Ayushman Bharat partnerships offer both affordable care and insurance to millions of families. The review also highlights the responsibilities of the academia, government, and the private sector in the regulation, funding and support for research on PHC refinement. Having scaled some of these innovations, increasing the size of health facilities, and improving workforce development remain a critical strategy for sustainable health systems. Therefore, improvement of governance, elimination of research deficit, and positive inter-sectorial relations will be crucial in re-modelling Bihar’s Primary Health Centres (PHCs) as “Extended Reach Primary Health Centres (ERPHCs)” panoplied with equitable, accessible and quality healthcare solutions available for even the “ last person” of the society in this state.