Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101574460900.htm

Tamil Nadu

Central funds sought for setting up 175 PHCs

Staff Reporter

MADURAI: The State Government has sought funds from the Centre to open 175 new Primary Health Centres in various districts, Health Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran said on Sunday.

The guidelines of the Health Department mandated setting up of one centre for every 30,000 people, and going by the 2001 census, the State should have 175 more. These centres would be set up with funds from both the State and Central Governments, he told reporters after inaugurating the third phase of Aids Prevention and Control-supported prevention and control projects.

Mr. Ramachandran said the Government would establish a well equipped laboratory at the King’s Institute, Guindy, to carry out virology tests for diseases like chikungunya. “Right now, blood samples are being sent to the virology institute at Pune. If we have it in our State, the tests can be done quickly, and it will benefit all southern States.” As for the ‘mysterious fever’ at two villages in Madurai district which claimed two lives and affected many others, he discounted the possibility of its being dengue. He said the Chief Minister called for thorough coordination between the local administration and Health Departments to check mosquito menace.