A primary health centre (PHC) in New Washermanpet has remained closed for almost two years now, forcing residents to travel all the way to either bigger government hospitals or turn to private healthcare providers.
The primary health centre in New Washermanpet
Chennai:
Talking to DT Next, Dinesh Kumar, a resident of the nearby Avoor Muthiah Street, observed that the facility was of great use for residents like him. “The PHC is supposed to provide accessible healthcare for people from various income groups. However, there has been no service rendered by staff at this centre and it has remained closed for a while now. The residents, who are mostly from lower-income groups, must travel all the way to a tertiary health service provider and that means a loss of day’s work for them and it adds to their existing health woes. It is either the Communicable Disease Hospital in Tondiarpet or Stanley,” he said.
“No one wants to go to a big hospital to get a headache or fever checked. And these PHCs are supposed to dispense vaccines during government programmes and campaigns. Across populations, people suffer even when one PHC fails to serve their needs,” he added and pointed out that private hospitals are an expensive option for a large section of residents in the area.
Hemraj V, an activist, pointed out that the next closest PHC for them is on Cement Road. “But even there, the staff are extremely rude and unapproachable. The centre has a good set of facilities for the resident, but they are unable to avail it because of the staff’s attitude,” he added.
Washermanpet has been reeling under poor healthcare facilities for a while now. A centre in Bojarajanagar in Old Washermanpet turned into a happy hunting ground for anti-social elements more than three years ago. The residents had put up a tough fight to ensure maintenance, but nothing came out of it.
However, when contacted, Zone 4 officials — both the in charge of the zone and the official for medical services — were unavailable for comment.
An integral part of healthcare and a vital link between those who need healthcare at the grassroot level, Primary Health Centres have a multisectoral approach, including offering community health care and disease prevention. However, for residents living in and around Arasu Meenavar Colony’s Poondi Thangammal Street, there has been no choice but to travel several kilometres, as the nearest PHC has remained shut for a couple of years now.
Talking to DT Next, Dinesh Kumar, a resident of the nearby Avoor Muthiah Street, observed that the facility was of great use for residents like him. “The PHC is supposed to provide accessible healthcare for people from various income groups. However, there has been no service rendered by staff at this centre and it has remained closed for a while now. The residents, who are mostly from lower-income groups, must travel all the way to a tertiary health service provider and that means a loss of day’s work for them and it adds to their existing health woes. It is either the Communicable Disease Hospital in Tondiarpet or Stanley,” he said.
“No one wants to go to a big hospital to get a headache or fever checked. And these PHCs are supposed to dispense vaccines during government programmes and campaigns. Across populations, people suffer even when one PHC fails to serve their needs,” he added and pointed out that private hospitals are an expensive option for a large section of residents in the area.
Hemraj V, an activist, pointed out that the next closest PHC for them is on Cement Road. “But even there, the staff are extremely rude and unapproachable. The centre has a good set of facilities for the resident, but they are unable to avail it because of the staff’s attitude,” he added.
Washermanpet has been reeling under poor healthcare facilities for a while now. A centre in Bojarajanagar in Old Washermanpet turned into a happy hunting ground for anti-social elements more than three years ago. The residents had put up a tough fight to ensure maintenance, but nothing came out of it.
However, when contacted, Zone 4 officials — both the in charge of the zone and the official for medical services — were unavailable for comment.
If you notice any civic issues unattended by authorities, please write to us with a photograph at citizen.dtnext@dt.co.in