According to national health policy, a sub center caters to population in hilly and tribal areas :
**Core Concept**
A sub center is a primary health care unit in India's public health system, serving as the most peripheral and first contact point between the primary health care system and the community. In hilly and tribal areas, sub centers play a crucial role in providing accessible and equitable healthcare services to the population.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In hilly and tribal areas, the terrain and geographical challenges make it difficult to establish and maintain a sub center at the usual population norm of 5,000. The national health policy takes into account these unique circumstances and allows sub centers to cater to a smaller population. This enables the sub center to reach and serve the dispersed population in these areas more effectively. The reduced population norm also helps in ensuring that the sub center remains functional and accessible to the local community.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the population norm for a sub center is not typically reduced in plain areas.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the population norm for a sub center is not typically increased in urban areas.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the population norm for a sub center is not typically reduced in urban areas.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In India's public health system, sub centers are the backbone of primary healthcare delivery, and their population norms vary depending on the geographical context. It's essential to remember that these norms are adjusted to ensure that healthcare services are accessible and equitable, especially in challenging terrain like hilly and tribal areas.
**Correct Answer:** C.