Box 1.

Summary of community viewpoints on PHCs

1) A PHC is ok for “small things” and does not “have much” in terms of services

2) One can visit a PHC if it is located close by (walkable) or if one is going near the PHC location for some other work.

2) The PHC is not usually the first place to go to for “small” ailments. The doctor at the PHC does not give attention-and there are no strong drugs there. So, if immediate and good attention is required or it is financially possible, it is better to go to a local private doctor.

3) For animal bites/immunization, tubectomy, and some seasonal diseases, one can use the PHC. Why pay for these at a private facility, when you get treatment at the PHC free?

4) When a doctor at a PHC does not want to treat you, he tells you to go “upwards” (higher tiers). Sometimes, if one does not have money to go to a private doctor, it is better to directly go “upwards” than go to the PHC -since there is guarantee of finding a doctor there.

5) If the care requirement is not urgent and one want tonics/skin creams or cough syrups, one can stock these up by visiting a PHC.