Urban HWCs (UHWCs) are envisaged to decentralize comprehensive primary health care services below the existing UPHC level in NUHM targeted cities, act as a standalone facility in smaller towns & peri-urban areas. The facility should be located away from the garbage collection site, water logging area, cattle shed and it should be connected with all whether road, water supply & electricity facilities. The UHWC should not be located in areas which are within 3 kms distance of an UPHC- HWC, Urban CHC, SDH, DHH or any other Govt. health facility.

The proposed UHWC is completely a new public health structure in urban areas which will cover smaller population cohorts (15,000 -20,000) urban population) residing in the slums, similar habitations & peri-urban areas. BSA has been managing an UHWC at Dharmagarh from 28th December 2022 under NUHM Scheme, Govt. of India with population for 15,000 -20,000.

The Urban-HWC would also enable strengthening the continuum of care for upward and downward linkages, improve access to high quality care, minimize the out-of-pocket expenditure incurred on health care services, and decongestion of secondary and tertiary health care facilities.