The Times of India             24.09.2013  

Varanasi Municipal Corporation takes step to revive Maatra Shishu Kalyan Kendra, Beniabagh

VARANASI: In a bid to revive Varanasi Municipal Corporation's (VMC) Maatra Shishu Kalyan Kendra (MSKK), Beniabagh, that has been lying defunct since the only doctor who served there retired eight months ago, the Khari Kuan family welfare centre has now been shifted to the premises of the Beniabagh MSKK.

Under the new arrangement, the in charge of the Khari Kuan health centre is given the additional charge of the MSKK that caters to the medical needs of a population of around 15,000 people of a locality. According to the city health officer Dr BN Chaubey, all the MSKK needed was a doctor under which the maternity facilities could be provided. The other staff was available there, including two ANMs. "The building where the Khari Kuan family welfare centre was being run was on rent and after the owner of the place asked to vacate the building, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it led us to make the new arrangement under which now both the facilities can work smoothly," Chaubey said.

Dr Sharda Singh who was incharge of the welfare centre of VMC has also been made the incharge of MSKK. The medicines and some additional equipment are to be provided at the MSKK to carry on the work of both the facilities. As a matter of fact the health department under the VMC is severely lacking on the qualified medical practitioners as there have been no new recruitment in the cadre for past several years forcing the local body to withdraw from all the important activities assigned to it through family welfare centres.