Role of Mohalla (Community) Clinics in Providing Primary Healthcare: A Study in Delhi

Abstract

The paper titled Role of Mohalla (Community) Clinics in Providing Primary Healthcare: A study in Delhi, gives insight into the state of primary healthcare for the residents of Delhi. The Government of Delhi introduced the concept of Mohalla Clinics to reduce the burden of secondary and tertiary level hospitals and to meet the health needs of the community. This research was conducted in 11 Mohalla Clinics situated in each district of Delhi. Stratified random sampling technique was used to identify the Mohalla Clinics and purposive sampling was used to identify respondents for the interviews. A multi stakeholder approach was followed to conduct the study with 11 doctors, 84 patients and 6 paramedical staff. Salient findings of the study highlighted that most of the patients felt that the Mohalla Clinics save money, provide doorstep consultation, medicines and diagnostic tests. The Mohalla Clinics were perceived to be easily accessible, available and affordable for majority of the patients. Thereby indicating the increase in the reach of primary healthcare to the community. The study concluded that the Mohalla Clinics had achieved the basic goal of bringing primary healthcare closer to people.