Abstract

Through a qualitative analysis of primary data collected during visits to about 38 PHCs and ANM Sub-centres in Karnataka, this paper illustrates the various uses (and misuses) of this infrastructure and buildings. Besides healthcare delivery, it was found, these sites and buildings are being used in various ways including adaptive ‘repurposing’ of rooms, abandonment and part use, and as public spaces and commons. Typically, basic services, especially waste management and sanitation, were found to be grossly inadequate. This paper aims to raise critical issues around the design, development and maintenance of these facilities, and concludes with a discussion on how primary healthcare infrastructure can be made more useful in the delivery of health outcomes.