Date:04/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/04/stories/2007120490340100.htm

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Health centres in Salem to get more facilities

S. Ramesh

SALEM: Urban Health Posts (UHP) and maternity and child health centres in Salem city will be revamped shortly. Salem Corporation has planned to construct new buildings, renovate the existing structures and equip eight UHPs and nine health centres with modern medical facilities under a comprehensive scheme. The two major UHPs, Anna Hospital at Ammapet and MGR Hospital at Kitchipalayam, will be renovated at an estimated cost of Rs. 55 lakh under the first phase of the scheme.

Dilapidated buildings in the two hospitals will be demolished and new buildings will be constructed. Modern equipment will be provided to the two hospitals. “We have received government approval for these works and tenders have been called for,” health officials said.

“The maternity centre at Subramania Nagar will be demolished and a new building will be constructed in the first phase. Repair and maintenance works will be carried out at all other centres in the second phase. We are also replacing furniture, including cots, labour boards and chairs, at all UHPs and maternity centres with new ones. New weighing machines, emergency lamps and other equipment will be provided to all our health care delivery centres,” the officials added. The Corporation has also initiated the process to fill up vacancies in the health department.

Two doctors and 30 paramedical personnel will be appointed shortly. The Corporation has come up with the scheme following complaints from the public about poor conditions and service delivery at the health centres.