Anatomy of a primary health care facility

This is a concept plan for a prototype PHC facility serving an estimated population of 10,000 -20,000. The facility is managed by healthcare workers and provides both in- and out-patient services, with some specialized services offered such as maternity, and a 24-hour emergency treatment capacity.

Planning enables the separation of clinical flows to manage infectious patients, including the use of temporary expansion space to provide additional isolation or surge capacity.

Robust building systems, with built-in redundancy to cover interruptions to supply, allow the facility to maintain operations and communications as conditions change.

Having an adaptable space allows the facility to respond effectively to a variety of crises, such as an influx of patients with infectious diseases or a mass casualty situation. This adaptability enables the facility to plan ahead, establish appropriate controls, and implement models of care to minimize the spread of infections. The redundancies in digital infrastructure ensure that the center maintains capability to report notifiable diseases to public health authorities.

Concept plan key

  1. Main entry with gate and shelter for waiting or security
  2. Triage
  3. Ramped entry to facility for equitable access
  4. Covered outdoor deck for waiting, gathering and education
  5. Reception and public toilet
  6. Pharmacy, dispensary and vaccination center
  7. Consultation rooms
  8. Treatment room
  9. Ambulance entry
  10. Covered ambulance parking
  11. Staff base
  12. Clean and dirty utility
  13. Women’s and children’s ward (4-bed)
  14. Birthing room
  15. Men’s ward (4-bed)
  16. 1-bed patient room
  17. Isolation room with anteroom entry and private ensuite
  18. Patient bathrooms
  19. Staff bathrooms
  20. Nurse unit manager’s office
  21. Disposal room and waste management equipment
  22. Staff accommodation on adjacent site allows for safe evacuation
  23. Open courtyard
  24. Logistics and services entry
  25. Services compound - Water tank, pumps, fuel and generator
  26. Temporary additional container storage
  27. Communications room and main switchboard
  28. Sewage treatment and black water irrigation
  29. Temporary portable shelter for additional surge capacity
  30. Shaded landscaped outdoor space
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