According to national health policy, a subcentre caters to population in hilly and tribal areas –
**Core Concept**
A subcentre is a primary healthcare unit in India's public healthcare system, providing basic medical services to a population of 5,000 in plain areas and 3,000 in hilly, tribal, or difficult areas. The national health policy aims to ensure equitable access to healthcare services across the country, including remote and underserved areas.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In hilly and tribal areas, the terrain and geographical challenges make it difficult to provide healthcare services. Subcentres are designed to cater to the unique needs of these areas by providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to the population. The subcentre is staffed by an auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) or a multipurpose health worker (MPHW) who provides basic medical care, including immunization, maternal and child healthcare, and primary treatment for common ailments.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the population size for a subcentre in plain areas is 5,000, not a smaller number.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect as it does not accurately reflect the population size or the unique challenges of hilly and tribal areas.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it does not specify the correct population size or the specific requirements of hilly and tribal areas.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In India's public healthcare system, subcentres play a crucial role in providing primary healthcare services to remote and underserved areas. The unique challenges of hilly and tribal areas necessitate a tailored approach to healthcare delivery, which is achieved through the subcentre model.
**Correct Answer:** C.