Darushifa UPHC craves for attention

Purani Haveli: Ailing Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) in Old city are failing to serve their purpose and are unable to deliver the basic services these are meant for. While few are functioning for the namesake, others do not even have a resident doctor in them. The paramedical staff at the centres are themselves giving medicines to the patients in most of the centres.

Highlights:

• According to GHMC, 145 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) have been sanctioned for expanding health services to the citizens of Hyderabad
•  NUHM has released Rs 23.23 crore for the year 2014-15 for maintenance of health centres and sanctioned Rs 64.54 crore for the year 2015-16
•  Old city faces lack of responsibility at UPHCs
•  Few UPHCs are functioning for namesake while others do not even have a resident doctor in them for several years now

Some centres do not have doctors for several years now. Similarly, many centres have been running in rented buildings or old structures. Darushifa UPHC building is also one among those centres. Darushifa UPHC building is running in an old building for a long time. The shabby structure is damaged on various sides and it causes difficulties for patients approaching the centre.

The staff working with Darushifa urban health centre is also worried about the stability of the structure and wanted this centre to be moved to other building. The only change that was observed at this centre was the new sign board of the health centre and nothing else.

Locals have also expressed their discontent over the apathy and the negligence by authorities. Several representations have been given to the authorities concerned to improve the facilities but in vain.

 Nayeemuddin of Dabeerpura said that the Darushifa UPHC does not have a doctor and proper staff. He said that paramedical staff were giving medicines to the patients without doctor. “It seems that the basic purpose of the health centre has gone away and authorities are not at all concerned for these centres in Old City”, he said.

Mujahid of Lakkadkot said that he visits the dispensary more often when his children fall sick. He said that earlier there used to be a doctor, but now other staff members were running the entire show. He demanded that district medical authorities must take cognizance of the issue and arrange for the doctor.