REFORM PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS: AN EVALUATION OF BASIC HEALTH UNITS IN BARKHAN, BALOCHISTAN

Abstract

Environmental considerations in the design of Basic Health Units (BHU) is very significant to user optimum usage. Rural areas in Pakistan are faced with major environmental design and consideration challenges in the only available facility in form of BHU. Environmental considerations as temperature, humidity, cross ventilation, natural lighting, heating and cooling systems, developing human comfort are critical for BHU. BHU environmental considerations have not been explored in the rural context of Pakistan, hence research was taken forward. The research explored selected environmental variables satisfaction level amongst end users in three BHU of Barkhan city, Balochistan Pakistan. Research approach evolved through review of literature followed by an observational checklist and a questionnaire for end users data collection. 25 users from each BHU were selected including service seekers and service providers. Total of 75 respondents was used as sample size with purposive sampling method. Data was collected in both summer and winter seasons. Major gaps were observed. Only 35% were satisfied with functionality of BHU,33% were satisfied with insulation and thermal comfort aspects, 31% with HVAC was mainly missing and only exhaust fans and ceiling fans were provided, 35% were satisfied with indoor temperature control, 58% were satisfied with natural day lighting, there was complete lack of landscape or provision of any horticulture, 40% were satisfied with indoor finishes and most of the respondents failed to critically appreciate the BHU as a facility apart from emergency cases. Hence