Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Minister inspects Poonthura PHC

Staff Reporter

Directs staff to improve services

WORDS OF CONSOLATION: Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy, along with MLA V. Surendran Pillai, at the Primary Health Centre in Poonthura on Sunday. Photo: S. Mahinsha

Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy visited the Poonthura Primary Health Centre (PHC) here on Sunday to collect first-hand information about its functioning.

The Minister, who reached the PHC at 8.30 a.m., visited the Out-Patient wing and later the newly opened In-Patient (IP) wing, which can accommodate 57 patients.

The Minister was informed that the PHC did not have a casualty wing and that the patients admitted here did not have doctors to attend to them during night.

In the female ward, Mrs. Sreemathy spoke to Bhagawathy, a patient, and enquired whether "she was getting medicines and food." Bhagawathy replied that the food was brought from her home and the PHC did not provide proper diet like other hospitals.

Medical Officer Abdul Faizi informed the Minister that the IP wing at the PHC began only two months ago and that steps were on to provide a proper diet to the patients.

Proper diet is a service from the Government to the patients and steps should be expedited to provide it to those in the IP wing soon, Mrs. Sreemathy told Dr. Faizi.

The Minister also spoke to two-and-a-half-year-old Sathi who is under treatment in the female ward.

The Minister's visit was a surprise for Latheef and two others under treatment in the male ward. "Are you getting medicines and proper care here? Were you asked to purchase medicines from outside?" Mrs. Sreemathy asked them.

Later, the Minister held discussions with the doctors, nursing staff and the local people. It was brought to her attention that only four doctors are on the rolls of the PHC and there is no doctor on duty at night.

The lack of sewerage facility, and vacancies of attendants and laboratory technicians were also highlighted. The Minister asked the doctors why they did not occupy the quarters meant for them.

MLA V. Surendran Pillai, City Corporation councillors Sajitha and Raymond, and CPI(M) leader S. Suseelan accompanied the Minister during the visit.

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