Post News Network
Bhandaripokhari, Sept 6: The Central government has been pumping in crores of rupees under the National Health Mission to improve healthcare and its infrastructure in rural areas, but the efforts seem to be going in vain in this block of Bhadrak district. People have to suffer from the ailing system.
Staff shortage and lack of infrastructure have plagued most of the health centres in the block. Worse, as many as 11 sub-health centres, which play a vital role in rural healthcare system with regards to immunisation and pre and post natal care of children at panchayat level, are being run from rented houses in the absence of their own buildings.
As per provision, each sub-health centre has a male and a female health worker. Women health workers take care of pregnant women and administer immunisation while their male counterparts visit house to house and check the spread of malaria, diarrhoea, dengue, TB and leprosy.
The male workers collect blood samples on slides and help take patients to sub-centres or hospitals for treatment.
Bhandaripokhari block has 18 health sub-centres in 19 panchayats. Eighteen women health workers and 16 male workers are engaged in the sub-centres.
However, only seven health centres have their own buildings while the rest are run from rented houses. Even as the government has to spend lakhs of rupees annually towards their rent, no steps have been taken to provide them infrastructure.
As per government guidelines, there should be a health sub-centre for every 5,000 population, who will avail of proper healthcare.
According to an estimate, the block has a population of 1.36 lakh which needs at least 26 health sub-centres.
The places where health sub-centres are being run from rented houses are Bhandaripokhari, Kulana, Bandalo, Patula, Barikpur, Jurigan, Malda, Sarsada, Maninathpur, Raghunathpur and Jalamandua. The building work of Sarasada and Rahania sub-health centres is under way.
However, health officials said sub-centres are the places where female health workers can also facilitate delivery for pregnant women in emergency cases. “In absence of proper infrastructure, such cases cannot be handled,” a health worker said.
As for the issue, programme manager of Bhandaripokhari community health centre Jayant Kumar Bhoi said proposals for buildings have been sent to the department.
