25 doctors appointed at urban primary health centres in Tamil Nadu

Tiruchy: Fulfilling a much-awaited demand, the Tamil Nadu government has allotted around 25 doctors to Tiruchy city in order to fill up the posts at urban primary health centres (UPHCs) and yet-to-be-inaugurated newly constructed health and wellness (H&W) centres in the city.

The newly constructed H&W centres, originally set to be inaugurated in February this year, suffered a setback in their opening due to the government's delay in appointing staff members.

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The health department of the Trichy City municipal corporation has reportedly welcomed the government's move of allotting 25 doctors to the city, as they further pointed out the need for more doctors.

After the COVID pandemic, the municipal corporation decided to establish 36 H&W centres across the city. Each of the 18 UPHCs was allotted 2 H&W centres within a two-kilometre radius providing first-level care for emergencies and trauma. The health and wellness centres were established with the aim to reduce the burden on the UPHCs.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, a senior health officer said, "Once the 36 H&W centres start functioning, a total of 54 health units will be functional in the city, including the 18 UPHCs. Even though 25 more doctors have been allotted for the city, we would still be falling short of at least 17 doctors, since six more UPHCs are in the pipeline for the city. We expect the state government to allot more staff."

Currently, around 18 doctors work at the 18 urban primary health centres (UPHCs) in the city. The Tiruchy corporation, after the new additions, would have a total of 43 doctors under its belt. However, the city requires a minimum of 17 doctors to meet the needs of the UPHCs and H&W centres. Meanwhile, the newly appointed 25 doctors are expected to join the health team soon.

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