## Population Norms for CHC in India **Key Point:** The CHC (Community Health Centre) is a secondary-level facility that serves as a referral centre for multiple PHCs and provides specialized services not available at the PHC level. ### CHC Population Norms by Terrain | Terrain Type | Population Norm per CHC | | --- | --- | | Plain areas | 1 CHC per 1,20,000 population | | Hilly/Tribal/Difficult areas | 1 CHC per 80,000 population | **High-Yield:** The 1:1,20,000 norm for plain terrain is a critical fact for NEET PG PSM section. A CHC typically serves as a referral centre for 4 PHCs (each serving 5,000 × 4 = 20,000 population), though the actual norm is 1,20,000 to account for overlapping catchment areas and administrative divisions. ### Key Differences: PHC vs CHC | Feature | PHC | CHC | | --- | --- | --- | | Population served | 5,000 (plain) | 1,20,000 (plain) | | Level of care | Primary | Secondary | | Beds | 0 (typically) | 30–50 beds | | Specialist doctors | None | OBG, Pediatrics, Surgery, Medicine | | Referral role | Refers to CHC | Refers to District Hospital | | Diagnostic facilities | Basic | X-ray, ECG, Lab, USG | **Clinical Pearl:** CHCs are strategically located to serve as nodal agencies for disease surveillance, training, and coordination between PHCs and district hospitals. [cite:Park 26e Ch 3]
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