Review began 06/09/2025 Review ended 06/18/2025 Published 06/19/2025 © Copyright 2025 Bhakta et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0., which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.86332 A Baseline Assessment of National Health Program Quality in Urban Primary Healthcare Centers in Berhampur, Odisha Madhumita Bhakta , Durga M. Satapathy , Jasmin N. Panda , Pramila Marandi , Swamy S.V.N. , Trupti Das , Abhimanyu Behera 1. Community Medicine, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, IND Corresponding author: Trupti Das, dr.truptidas@gmail.com Abstract Introduction: Quality healthcare underpins effective service delivery and positive health outcomes, yet many health systems worldwide grapple with infrastructure deficits and inequitable access. In India, urban primary healthcare centers (UPHCs) frequently struggle to deliver consistent quality, and Berhampur, Odisha, is no exception: workforce shortages and limited health infrastructure continue despite government initiatives. A thorough baseline assessment of the quality of National Health Programs (NHPs) in Berhampur’s UPHCs is therefore essential to identify service gaps, strengthen accountability, and inform targeted improvements aligned with national quality assurance standards. Methodology: This observational study, conducted from September 2023 to February 2024 across all eight UPHCs within the Berhampur Municipal Corporation, employed the NHP component of the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) checklist to evaluate each facility’s performance. Universal sampling ensured comprehensive coverage, and compliance with measurable checklist elements and checkpoints was recorded. Departmental scores were calculated using formulated Excel Sheets by summing compliant items, converting these to percentages, and displaying results via a visual scorecard to facilitate interdepartmental comparisons. Results: Performance varied markedly: Ankuli scored 28.52%, Aska Road 93.16%, Aga Sahi 94.49%, Ambapua 91.25%, Baikuntha Nagar 92.21%, Goodshed Road 86.50%, Khodasingh 89.54%, and Uttaramukhi 89.54%. While several PHCs demonstrated high adherence to NHP standards, Ankuli’s low score highlights critical deficiencies requiring urgent attention. Conclusions: The study concludes that national-quality assessments demand extensive preparatory work- including training external assessors, sensitizing state nodal officers and facility staff, and ensuring widespread familiarity with program protocols and frameworks to achieve sustainable, long-term improvements in healthcare delivery. Categories: Public Health, Epidemiology/Public Health, Quality Improvement Keywords: national health programs, observational study, primary healthcare, quality assessment in healthcare, urban health Introduction Quality in healthcare is a fundamental measure of the scale and range of elements of care provided, encompassing both individual and population-based targets [1]. Quality assurance in healthcare necessitates the conversion of healthcare processes into measurable health outcomes [2]. The assessment of the baseline status of the Quality of National Health Programs (NHPs) ongoing in the urban primary healthcare centers (UPHCs) of Berhampur is essential for ensuring effective healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes among the urban population [3]. According to global statistics, ensuring quality healthcare remains a challenge worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that many countries face significant barriers to achieving high-quality healthcare, resulting in adverse health outcomes and disparities in access to care [4]. In India, the quality of healthcare services varies widely across different regions and healthcare facilities, with rural areas often facing significant challenges in terms of infrastructure, resources, and service delivery [5]. Furthermore, in the state of Odisha, especially in Berhampur, the healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including limited infrastructure, healthcare workforce shortages, and disparities in access to healthcare services [6]. Despite government initiatives to improve healthcare quality, gaps in implementation and adherence to quality standards persist, particularly in urban primary healthcare settings [7]. Therefore, this descriptive observational study aims to assess the baseline status of the Quality of NHPs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Open Access Original Article How to cite this article Bhakta M, Satapathy D M, Panda J N, et al. (June 19, 2025) A Baseline Assessment of National Health Program Quality in Urban Primary Healthcare Centers in Berhampur, Odisha. Cureus 17(6): e86332. DOI 10.7759/cureus.86332