UPHC in Kodungaiyur functioning without a doctor for past month, say residents

The urban primary health centre (UPHC) on Anna Salai in Kodungaiyur has been functioning without a permanent doctor for the past month.

Residents complained that medical services for pregnant women, who depended on the hospital, had been affected, and the number of nurses was also inadequate.

Ward 34 councillor Sharmila Gandhi said doctors in other centres had been sent to the hospital to provide temporary medical services for patients who visit the hospital. However, residents say that this is not enough.

When contacted, ward 35 councillor S. Jeevan said the hospital did not belong to his ward but was built within its boundaries to provide services for many poor pregnant women in the area. “Residents have said the temporary doctor spent very less time at the hospital. The UPHC belongs to ward 34. But residents from wards 34 and 35 visit the hospital for medical services. Many pregnant women in my ward also rely on the UPHC’s medical services. Since doctors at Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) hospitals are not paid well, a number of them have already quit at facilities in poor neighbourhoods in the city,” he added.

A GCC official said the civic body had moved 20 doctors from the waiting list last week to fill vacancies and improve services at the hospitals.

“Arrangements have been made to improve services at the UPHC in Kodungaiyur. A doctor was present on Monday. Over 150 doctors from the government joined the GCC recently. Under the National Urban Health Mission, 92 doctors joined the GCC, while a few of them left. We have hired 200 doctors for the health and wellness centres,” he added.