Considering the sizeable population of low-income groups in and around Virugambakkam, the Virugambakkam Residents’ Welfare Association has given a representation to the Greater Chennai Corporation to make the Virugambakkam Welfare Centre at Natesan Nagar into a full-time facility. At present, the welfare centre is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on all days.
Also, the Association is urging the Corporation to upgrade the centre which is now offering out-patient services into a facility offering in-patient care as well.
“The existing centre is a huge facility. It covers an area of 7.5 grounds and the built-up area is just one ground. Therefore, we see a feasibility to upgrade the facility. Moreover, a large number of labourers are working in the nearby Koyambedu market and at the many construction sites in the vicinity. Therefore, Corporation should consider offering a wide range of healthcare services," says S. Arumainathan, president of the association.
To begin with, the Association is requesting the Corporation to offer a comprehensive midwifery care and trauma care. "Although prenatal and post-natal care are provided, the care during labour and birth is not offered here. It will be of immense help as patients will be relieved of travelling on the congested Arcot Road to access the Corporation hospital at Kodambakkam. Whereas, Corporation cites that only one hospital is dedicated per Zone. But we are requesting the civic body to consider relaxing its rule so that a large number of people will be benefited and larger space will be put to optimum use,” says Arumainathan. Earlier, with the intervention of the Association in 2010, some repair works were taken up at the Welfare Centre. “There was no water supply. Also, in the absence of a watchman, the premises of the Welfare Centre was misused at night by deviants to consume alcohol. Moreover, there were no wash-rooms for women. We sorted out all these issues. Last year, we gave a representation seeking appointment of a lady doctor at the facility. That was also met,” says Arumainathan.