The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Exclusive primary health centre for the elderly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 10, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Exclusive primary health centre for the elderly

Staff Reporter

Mayor M. Subramanian declares it open

Doctor and counsellor trained in geriatrics
Ophthalmologist will be available for consultation on Fridays

CHENNAI: Chennai Corporation’s first urban primary health centre exclusively for senior citizens on Rottler Street, Purasawalkam, was inaugurated on Friday. A doctor and counsellor will be available at the facility.

Mayor M. Subramanian, who declared open the Balaiah Memorial — Urban Primary Health Centre for Senior Citizens (geriatric care), said various investigations, including electrocardiogram (ECG) test and those to check sugar levels, besides physiotherapy sessions, were available at the clinic. Treatment for skin and bone-related ailments would also be made available. He said the facility will function alongside the existing PHC there.

Senior citizens who are alone at home can also spend their free time at the clinic and interact with persons of their age group.

“Comfortable seating arrangements and games, including chess and carrom, have been provided. We will soon install a television set.” He said that in a few days arrangements would be made with the help of philanthropists for tea and snacks.

Mr. Subramanian added that the civic body would distribute over five lakh vitamin tablets to students in private, government-run and civic body-run schools on October 15. Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said the doctor and counsellor at the urban PHC were trained in geriatrics. An ophthalmologist would be available for consultation on Fridays.

Lakshmi Masilamani (68), who came for a check-up, said she was happy to know that medicines for diabetes would also be supplied to senior citizens. “I come here for regular check-ups and get tablets for blood pressure.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu