Arogya Kendram serves no purpose

Chittoor: To ensure better medical services for the rural populace, the Department of Health and Family Welfare had established 174 Mukhyamantri Pattana Arogya Kendrams (Chief Minister’s City Health Centres) across the State. The Arogya Kendrams are being maintained by the management of Apollo Group of Hospitals. 

The intention of setting up city health centres is not serving the purpose as patients are not availing medical services. A medical officer on contract basis, a staff nurse and technical assistant were appointed for the Arogya Kendram located in Chittoor. People are preferring to visit three government AYUSH dispensaries which are functioning in the city for their medical needs. 

The main reason for patients not willing to go Arogya Kendrams is producing the Aadhaar cards. The staff at Arogya Kendram will not provide medical services if patients fail to show Aadhaar cards. Moreover, the health centre has no gynaecology and pathology departments. Office of the DMHO supplies required medicines to the Arogya Kendram while the Apollo management pays salaries for staff.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Saturday, DMHO Dr Vijaya Gouri has admitted that there is poor response for city health centre despite having an excellent infrastructure. She stressed on the need for creating awareness about Arogya Kendrams among the rural population. She further said that Arogya Kendrams will not provide emergency treatment. The emergency cases would be referred to the district headquarters hospital only, she added. 

BY C Prabhakara Rao