Visakhapatnam: Access to proper roads eludes them

Visakhapatnam: Even as Visakhapatnam is all set to become the executive capital, the public health care system in rural areas continues to be a far cry.

The ordeals faced by villagers are often ignored and remain entrenched. Particularly, those living in nondescript villages of Hukumpeta mandal.

Lack of proper roads and transport facilities push the villagers to carry patients and help them reach the nearest healthcare facility on a doli (makeshift sling), trekking long distances. Each trip thus made would be not less than 5 km to gain access to an ambulance. For a healthcare facility, the trek would stretch even further.

Though many of them try to practice home remedies to control cough, cold or fever, those suffering from critical illness have no other choice than to be carried on a doli to the nearest hospital.

Absence of roads at Panasabanda village, Teegalavalasa panchayat in Hukumpeta mandal, continue to trouble the locals despite the village comes under Primitive Tribal Group (PTG).

There are no proper roads here and the ones that exist are muddy. During monsoon, they become all the more difficult to use. Those who need to meet medical emergencies have to pass through these rugged terrains. While it would be not less than 5 km to gain access to an ambulance, the distance gets extended to 20-25 km to reach a healthcare facility.

Very recently, a pregnant woman K Bullamma (27) had a harrowing experience as she was carried on a doli to reach an ambulance for her delivery. "Inadequate attention to the public healthcare service is the main problem we face in the village. Those who need to avail healthcare service largely depend on others to help them reach the facility as without a doli, we cannot even access an ambulance. During nights, it becomes all the more challenging," rues Sanyasi Rao, husband of Bullamma.

Such ordeals are not new to the pregnant women in Hukumpeta mandal. Last month, another patient had a similar experience in the same region. In areas like Kothavalasa village of V Madugala mandal, many have to trek a minimum 6 km to reach a primary health centre. "The ordeals faced by the villagers were brought to the notice of Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer S Venkateswar. This apart, letters were also sent to the District Collector, requesting to help build an approach road so that ambulance can be accessed for emergency requirements. Our repeated pleas are yet to be heard," says Killo Surendra of CPI, former ZPTC member.

• It is always an ordeal for the tribals in Agency area to reach the nearest PHC for medicare

•Those living in nondescript villages need to trek not less than 5 km to gain access to an ambulance And to reach a healthcare facility, the trek would stretch even further

• Many of them try to practice home remedies to control cough, cold or fever and those suffering from critical illness have no other choice than to be carried on a doli to the nearest hospital