Abstract

India has expanded the three-tier public health system. Community Health Centres are an important link between primary and tertiary healthcare and act as gatekeepers too. Gujarat has functionalized 345 CHCs as per population norms. However it is felt that being in remote areas, there is a significant gap of specialist services. This study was undertaken to understand the magnitude of specialist gap in CHCs affecting the quality and equity of desired optimal healthcare. Strong policy decisions are needed to attract and retain specialist manpower in CHCs. Since that may take its own time, with advancements in information technology in healthcare such Internet of Things etc, it is suggested how implementation of IT infrastructure such as Electronic Health Record, Hospital Information Management System and Telemedicine can bridge the specialist gap and improve the quality of care at CHCs thus making healthcare more affordable, accessible, sustainable and equitable especially in remote areas of Gujarat