Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Designing Integrated Rural Healthcare Systems: Structure Sharing-Based Approach
Tewari, Renu; Singh, Vishal; Ranjan, Ansh
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Juuti, T.; Karhunen, V; Vanhatalo, M.; Lehtonen, T.;Kopra, M-J.
Author:
Series:
NordDESIGN
Institution:
Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, India
Page(s):
528-535
DOI number:
ISBN:
978-1-912254-21-7
ISSN:
NA
Abstract:
Rural healthcare delivery often relies on Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and Mobile Health Units (MHUs) that operate as parallel systems, resulting in fragmented infrastructure and inefficient resource use. This paper presents a design-oriented approach for integrating these systems through structure sharing. Using functional decomposition and overlap analysis, service redundancies and complementarities between PHCs and MHUs are identified. The study then examines how resources can be co-utilised to support multiple functions. The findings reveal reciprocal infrastructural complementarities: PHCs offer stable spatial infrastructure, staff, and essential amenities, while MHUs provide mobility and flexible service capabilities. Based on these insights, the paper synthesises an integrated healthcare architecture that links PHCs and MHUs into complementary assets rather than independent components of rural healthcare delivery system (RHDS).
Keywords:
