Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The design of an effective primary health care center is crucial for providing accessible, efficient, and comprehensive health services to the community. This research project focuses on developing a blueprint for an ideal primary health care center that caters to the diverse needs of the population it serves. The study incorporates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from public health experts, healthcare professionals, architects, and community members to create a holistic and sustainable design. The primary objectives of this project include optimizing the layout of the health care center to enhance patient flow and minimize waiting times, ensuring the availability of essential medical equipment and supplies, promoting a healing environment through thoughtful design elements, and maximizing the utilization of space for various healthcare services. By addressing these key aspects, the primary health care center aims to improve the overall quality of care provided to patients while also enhancing the working conditions for healthcare staff. Key considerations in the design process include the integration of technology to streamline administrative tasks and enhance communication between healthcare providers, the incorporation of green building practices to reduce the environmental impact of the facility, and the implementation of universal design principles to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the project emphasizes the importance of community engagement in the design process to ensure that the health care center meets the specific needs and preferences of the local population. The research methodology involves a combination of literature review, case studies of successful primary health care centers, expert consultations, and community surveys to gather relevant data and insights. The findings from these research activities will inform the development of a comprehensive design proposal for the primary health care center, which will be presented to stakeholders for feedback and validation. Overall, this research project aims to contribute to the advancement of primary health care services by offering a systematic and evidence-based approach to designing effective health care facilities. The proposed design principles and strategies can serve as a valuable resource for healthcare organizations, policymakers, architects, and other stakeholders involved in the planning and development of primary health care centers. By prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and patient-centered care, the design of the primary health care center can have a positive impact on the health outcomes and well-being of the community it serves.

Thesis Overview

Primary Health Care (PHC) is driven by a political philosophy that emphasizes a radical change in both the design and content of conventional health care services. It also advocates an approach to health care principles that allow people to receive health care that enables them to lead socially and economically productive lives (Dennil et al. 1999: 2). The Alma-Ata declaration of September 1978 defined the concept of PHC as essential care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable health care methods and technology, made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination. It forms an integral part both of the country’s health system, of which it is the central function and main focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the community. It is the first level of contact for individuals, the family and the community within the national health system, bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work, and constitutes health care services (WHO 1998: 15). In addition, Alma-Ata declaration states that any Primary Health Care program should include at least the following components, namely, education about prevailing health problems and methods of preventing and controlling them; the promotion of food supply and proper nutrition; an adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation; maternal and child health care, including family planning and care of high risk groups; immunization against the major infectious diseases; prevention and control of locally endemic diseases; appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries and the provision of essential drugs, including vaccines.

Primary Health Care Centre is the cornerstone of rural health services- a first port of call to a qualified doctor of the public sector in rural areas for the sick and those who directly report or referred from Sub-Centres for curative, preventive and promotive health care (India, 2002). Primary Health Care Centre is a basic health unit to provide as close to the people as possible, an integrated curative and preventive health care to the rural population with emphasis on preventive and promotive aspects of health care.

We are in a period of major change, with more being provided at primary level rather than in hospitals.

1.2.0 Client Background History

The Client/User

As part of the “change” campaign of the current administration in the State of Osun, the Obokun Local Government of the state under the leadership of the Local Government Chairman, has proposed an efficient Primary Health Care Centre for the benefit of the people in Obokun Local Government Area, as the current Centres in the area are inadequate in terms of quality of the services they render/offer.

Brief History of Obokun Local Government Area

Obokun is a Local Government Area in Osun State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ibokun at 7047’00”N 4043’00’E / 7.783330N 4.716670E. Other towns in Obokun Local Government Area include Imesi-Ile, Otan-Ile, Esa-Oke, Ilase, Iponda, Ikinyinwa, Idominasi and Ora.

Project Location

The Primary Health Care Centre is being proposed to be located in Iponda town in Obokun local government area, Osun state, Nigeria, Africa. Its geographical coordinates are 7o 44’ 0” North, 4o 43’ 0” East. Obokun local government covers a total land area of 527km2 (203sq mi), and a total population (according to 2006 census) of 116,511.