Simulation modeling and analysis of primary health center operations

We present discrete-event simulation models of the operations primary health centres (PHCs) in Indian context. Our PHC incorporate four types patients seeking medical care: outpatients, inpatients, childbirth cases, and antenatal care. A generic modelling approach was adopted to develop operations. This involved developing an archetype simulation, which then adapted represent two other configurations, differing numbers resources services provided, encountered during visits. model representing a benchmark configuration conforming government-mandated operational guidelines, with demand estimated from disease burden data service times closer international estimates (higher than observed), also developed. Simulation outcomes for three observed configurations indicate negligible patient waiting low resource utilisation values at estimates. However, indicated significantly higher utilisation. experiments evaluate effect potential changes patterns on reducing stressed case were performed. analysis motivated development simple analytical approximations average server queueing system characteristics similar doctor/patient system. study represents first step ongoing effort establish computational infrastructure required analyse public India, can provide researchers settings hierarchical systems template their healthcare facilities.