The Hindu : Front Page : Number of Primary Health Centres inadequate in Madurai district

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 14, 2007
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Number of Primary Health Centres inadequate in Madurai district

Shastry V. Mallady

MADURAI: The number of primary health centres (PHCs) in Madurai district is not in proportion to the population in villages and the State Government has been alerted about the shortage and the places where they are required.

An urgent proposal has been sent to the Health Department to open more PHCs and Health Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran too has been briefed about the inadequacy.

Senior health officials here told The Hindu on Saturday that the district was in dire need of at least five new well-equipped PHCs since people in some villages had to travel long distances for treatment.

Five places suggested are Nattarpatti, Muduvarpatti, Chithalangudi, Sandhaiyur and Sakkimangalam.

“As per Health Department guidelines, there should be a PHC for every 30,000 people. Though in some places the population has crossed 50,000, new hospitals have not been opened,” an official said.

Totally, there are 42 PHCs in the district. There is an immediate need for opening 10 more. During a review meeting chaired by the Health Minister here on October 2, the district officials made a presentation to him.

In view of the recent mysterious fever episode at O. Alangalulam and Periyalangulam villages, officials are particular that no chances must be taken with regard to quick availability of medical attention.

“We hope the Government will sanction new PHCs and also appoint doctors / staff there. People cannot go from end to end for treatment,” an official said.

The Health Department is awaiting the results of medical tests carried out on affected people in the two villages.

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