In the remote tribal belt of Kuakonda block in Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh, India, healthcare access has long been a formidable challenge.
For 20 years, the primary health care (PHC) centre, known as the sub health centre, in the village of Potali remained entirely unused due to severe local conflict and insurgency. The people of Potali either received no health care or walked barefoot for many kilometres to reach health facilities.
Today, thanks to a Government programme and support from WHO through the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnership, the PHC centre was renovated and brought back to life with hugely positive health outcomes and lifesaving results for the local population.
/special-programme-on-primary-health-care-(phc)/country-impact-(ciu)/the-renovated-hwc-potali-opened-on-1-january-2025.jpg?sfvrsn=1873cb21_5 "The renovated hwc potali opened on 1 january 2025")
The newly renovated Ayushman Bharat – HWC Potali @WHO India
“Earlier, we had to walk 15 to 18 kilometers for treatment. Now, even emergencies at night can be treated here. This is a blessing,” said Anita Markam, Potali.
In January 2025, the health centre in Potali was inaugurated and for the first time, this tribal community witnessed a functional six-bedded primary health facility in their own village, equipped and staffed with 1 community health officer, 3 rural health officers, and 26 community health volunteers.
In the first 9 months of opening, the centre recorded nearly 2 500 outpatient visits.
“The demand for such a facility has been long-standing, especially during the rainy season when travel became nearly impossible, and healthcare access was disrupted,” said Dr. Ajay Ramteke, Chief Medical and Health Officer.
With many barriers along the way, including violence and killing, the construction and operation of the centre is a powerful demonstration of determination and resilience from the community, health care workers, and the Government.
The services are particularly empowering for women who previously relied on men to accompany them to reach far-away health facilities. Previously during the day, when men were at work, women and children often had no one to help them, making treatment and medication, even for fever or pain relief, impossible to get.
“We no longer depend on men to travel for treatment. Now we can access care ourselves,” said Sarpanch Lalita Mandavi, Potali.
A turning point in access to health services
The sub health centre at Potali had been constructed in 2004–2005 by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Steel.
For years, the building stood as a silent structure; unused, threatened, and forgotten. The shadow of the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency loomed large and during the peak of the Salwa Judum movement, Naxals wrote warning messages on its walls, forbidding its use.
The turning point came in 2021–2022 when the sub health centre was selected for upgrading under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) programme.
This nationwide programme provides comprehensive PHC services, addressing the basic health needs of the entire population with quality and affordable care, marking a significant step in India’s journey to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
WHO, through the UHC Partnership, participated in the development of the Ayushman Bharat Programme in 2019 at the national level.
In Chhattisgarh, WHO provided technical assistance in collaboration with health authorities across three tribal and conflict-affected districts to strengthen the Ayushman Bharat programme.
Support focused on enhancing service delivery, assessing the impact of interventions, and systematically feeding back findings to inform and improve the initiative’s overall design and implementation.
/special-programme-on-primary-health-care-(phc)/country-impact-(ciu)/people-present-during-inauguration.jpg?sfvrsn=aefeef61_3 "People present during inauguration")
The community present at the opening of the Ayushman Bharat – HWC Potali @WHO India
Persistence on the path to UHC
By bringing services closer to the community, the Ayushman Bharat – HWC Potali lays the foundation for ensuring accessible and affordable primary health care for all. The sense of community ownership and the delivery of equity in healthcare access embodies the essence of UHC.
The story demonstrates the fragility of trying to strengthen the health system in conflict-affected areas. Yet, the persistent engagement of the community, Panchayati Raj Institutions leaders, and district administration demonstrated the resilience needed.
Together, they ensured that progress resumed, reinforcing that with political and community will UHC is possible, even in the most fragile contexts.
“The reopening of Potali’s health centre in Chhattisgarh reflects India’s unwavering commitment to universal health coverage – ensuring that even in the most remote, conflict-affected and tribal areas, no one is left behind,” said Ms Payden, WHO Representative to India a.i.