The Hindu 13.08.2013
140 PHCs soon in Chennai
The city may soon get 140 modernised urban primary health centres.
Proposed under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), the centres are likely to emerge as stepping stones to evening clinics that will offer free healthcare to women and children.
At least 40 of the centres will be commissioned in the added areas of the Corporation — Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valsaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganalur. The evening clinics will benefit more than 18 lakh residents belonging to the weaker sections in the 2,500 slums in the city. “Hundreds of residents are forced to spend thousands on primary healthcare in private hospitals. People from Madhavaram have to go as far as Anna Nagar for medical help in the evening. Evening clinics and primary health centres will be a boon to poor residents,” said M. Kannadasan, councillor of a ward in Madhavaram.
The Chennai Corporation identified gaps in the existing public healthcare system. The Union Cabinet has already approved the Rs. 22,507-crore NUHM project that seeks to focus on urban poor.
At least 40 of the health centres will be commissioned in the added areas of the Corporation.
