How are CHCs different from medical clinics?

→ Community Health Centres are truly community focused

All new CHCs can only be established through the direct participation of the local community - who are directly involved in establishing the need for a CHC in a particular area. This usually involves the members of the community and other individuals working together in developing a plan that must show not only the health needs of the community, but also the programs and services that can respond to those needs. The close involvement of the community in the activities of the CHC is key to its ability to readily adapt and respond to the community's health needs.

→ The staff of CHCs are on salary, including the Doctors

Having all CHC staff on salary reinforces the multi-disciplinary team approach to providing health services. All staff, including Doctors, receive a salary as opposed to receiving fees for each individual client seen. Staff of a CHC give the time needed, as appropriate, to their patients/clients.

Studies have shown that in addition to clients finding the staff of CHCs warm, caring and non-judgmental, they particularly appreciate being given enough time to discuss and understand the issue or problem that brought them to the Health Centre in the first place. The skill and commitment of staff is recognized and highly valued by clients and patients.