LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, GLOBAL GOALS: EVALUATING THE ROLE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES IN ACHIEVING SDG-3

Abstract

The study aimed to assess community awareness, perceptions of equity and accessibility, service challenges, and suggested improvements related to Primary Health Centres (PHCs), with reference to their role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and Universal Health Coverage. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 respondents across selected taluks, using a structured questionnaire covering awareness levels, service accessibility, perceived challenges, and utilization patterns. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were employed to examine taluk-wise variations and predictors of service perception. Awareness of PHC contribution to SDG-3 was high (93.3%), though lower in certain taluks, while awareness of the right to Universal Health Coverage was moderate (66%) with no significant inter-taluk variation. Perceptions of equity and accessibility were strongly positive, with 94.3% agreeing that PHCs serve all groups equally and 100% confirming disability-friendly infrastructure. Long waiting times were the most frequently reported challenge (52%), followed by occasional service inadequacy (12.6%) and localized staff shortages (3%). The most common recommendations were recruitment of additional medical staff (53.3%) and improvement of medical equipment (33.7%). When PHC services were unavailable, 80% of respondents reported shifting to private clinics, indicating continued dependence on the private sector during service gaps.