Shocking conditions regarding the urban health & wellness centres in Chennai revealed now!!
Posted on: 19/Oct/2023 9:58:03 AM
Are the UHWCs in Chennai doing what they are supposed to do?
Constructed at a cost of Rs 88 crores and unveiled by the chief minister of TN, the Urban Health and Wellness Centres or UHWC in Chennai have caught the attention of many now.
It is now brought to light that these centres in Chennai are not doing well now due to the lack of important equipment etc, It is noteworthy that these UHWCs were funded under Ayushman Bharat`s Scheme belonging to the Central govt. The centres were conceived to complement the UPHCs in quality healthcare service delivery in Chennai.
It must be taken into account that the new buildings constructed deep inside the residential localities in the city were supposed to have a doctor, paramedical staff and a nurse. As per the guidelines of UHWC, these centres must provide ENT care, mental health issue care and basic oral health care etc. The centres were planned to help the public for blood tests, neonatal and pregnancy care plus others like cancer screening and testing of non-communicable diseases etc.
It was found out recently that the UHWCs in many localities in Chennai did not have any screening device, furniture for medical professionals and no record keeping etc. It is shocking to note that many of these centres were hardly equipped to offer designated services.
At the Manali based UHWC in north Chennai the waiting room had a table for the doctor but the 3 other rooms were totally empty. Bitter truth is that the lab services were yet to operate and the laboratory sink was also not present.
At West Mambalam based UHWC, all the3 rooms in the first floor were empty and were used as storerooms. It was revealed by a doctor here that the centre required an ultrasound machine for screening of pregnancy plus more beds etc in the rooms. Creating awareness about these centres was very important. The UHWC present in Santhome did not have a separate pharmacy room and the medicines were stacked in the patient`s room itself.
The TN state govt must take over the UHWC and UPHCs and this was pointed out by Mr. A. Ramalingam, state general secretary of PG Service Doctors Association. He spoke about how the TN govt must recruit doctors on a permanent basis. It was finally mentioned by GCC Commissioner Mr. J. Radhakrishnan that UHWCs were meant to provide ancillary care to the public.
