Lok Sabha Question No. 4668 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Community Health Centres in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Selvam G

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4668 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## COMMUNITYHEALTH CENTRES IN TAMILNADU

## 4668. SHRI SELVAM G:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government has assessed the adequacy of Community Health Centres (CHCs) in rural and semi-urban areas of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof alongwith the steps taken to upgrade existing Community Health Centres(CHCs);
- (b) the details of availability of medical infrastructure, including operation theatres, diagnostic facilities and inpatient wards in CHCs in Tamil Nadu;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to address shortages of medical personnel in CHCs;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the measures being taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for recruitment and deployment;
- (e) whether the Government has any plans to upgrade the existing CHCs into sub-district hospitals in Tamil Nadu;
- (f) if so, the number of CHCs proposed for upgradation along with the timeline for its upgradation; and
- (g) the key features of the upgradation plan including enhanced services and infrastructure?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a): Public Health and hospital being a State subject, the primary responsibility to set up adequate number of healthcare facilities as per requirement is that of the State Government. Under the National Health Mission, financial and technical support is provided to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare system including setting up new healthcare facilities like SubCentres, PHCs and CHCs, support for recruitment of health human resource (Specialists Doctors and other health workers) based on proposals received from States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plan(PIP), within their resource envelop. The population norms as per IPHS 2022 for CHC is 1,20,000 in plain area and 80,000 in hilly, tribal, or difficult-toreach areas whereas Urban CHCs are recommended based on local need, generally covering a population of around 2.5 Lakh to 5 Lakh, depending on density and healthcare access. As per

Health Dynamics of India 2022-23, the State Government of Tamil Nadu has 483 CHCs.

- (b) The availablity of medical infrastructure including operation theatres, diagnostic facilities, and inpatient wards in CHCs in Tamil Nadu is determined by the State Government. The responsibility for planning, implementing, and maintaining healthcare infrastructure lies primarily with the State. The details of medical infrastructure in the States including Tamil Nadu is available in Health Dynamic of India 2022-23, the link for which is given as under:https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Health%20Dynamics%20of%20India%20%28Infrastr ucture%20%26%20Human%20Resources%29%202022-23\_RE%20%281%29.pdf

(c) & (d): As per the information received from State Government of Tamil Nadu, the State Government is working on Human Resource Rationalization.

(e) to (g): The Government of India is making concerted efforts to strengthen healthcare facilities across the country, including in Tamil Nadu. While the decision to upgrade facilities falls under the jurisdiction of the state. As health is a state subject, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare continues to extend its support to all states and Union Territories to enhance the capacity and quality of CHCs.

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