The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Ponnala pays surprise visit to PHCs

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Monday, Sep 15, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Ponnala pays surprise visit to PHCs

Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

Orders Collector to sack four contract doctors for alleged absence from duty

-PHOTO: M. MURALI

Ready to help: Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah interacting with a tribal in Eturunagaram on Sunday.

ETURUNAGARAM (WARANGAL DT.): The medical and ITDA staff were put on alert with the sudden visit of Major Irrigation Minister Ponnal Lakshmaiah. He visited several Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and area hospital at the mandal headquarters here on Sunday.

Enraged at the continuous absence of four contract doctors, the Minister instructed Collector B. Janardhan Reddy to terminate their services. He visited the PHC at Tadvai and sub centre at Buttaigudem, a small hamlet beyond Eturunagaram.

Later, he visited the areas hospital where he spent about two hours talking to patients and hospital staff. He asked the staff to work with commitment as the innocent tribals had nowhere to go.

“Your work will not go waste. Your services are most valued and suitably rewarded. It is your duty to help these poor tribals who come from distant corners,” Mr. Lakshmaiah told the staff there.

The Minister later held a review meeting with the ITDA and Medical Department officials and took stock of the situation.

Apprised

He was apprised that a total of 35 deaths were reported this season but were not on account of epidemics. Some were natural deaths while others due to other complaints such as renal infections.

Mr. Lakshmaiah said 26 ambulances were made available in the agency areas under the jurisdiction of ITDA in 13 mandals. There were 17 PHCs and 108 sub-centres where the medicines were made available. “Since June, the onset of monsoon, a total of 241 medical camps was conducted at mandal and village level,” he explained.

Opposition flayed

The Minister came down heavily on the Opposition leaders for politicising the deaths in tribal areas. Referring to the recent visit of Talli Telangana Party leader Vijayashanthi and TDP MP E Dayakar Rao, the Minister accused them of trying to get publicity for non-issues.

“The leaders instead of spending huge sums on publicity stunt should make ambulances and medicines available to the poor. It will supplement the efforts of the state government and helps more tribals,” he pointed out.

Mulug MLA Podem Veeraiah, district collector B Janardhan Reddy, deputy DM&HO Dr K Balu and other officials were present.

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