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The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Stalin inaugurates Katpadi's first UPHC
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday virtually inaugurated three Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCS) in Vellore and Ranipet districts, including the first such facility in Katpadi, ending a long-standing demand of residents. Health officials said a UPHC serves a population of 50,000 and at present, 13 centres have been functioning within the Vellore Corporation limits. 'The UPHC in Katpadi will focus on all government health programmes, including vaccination and general health check-up,' R. Lakshmanan, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, told The Hindu. Built at a cost of ₹1.2 crore each, the UPHCs at Katpadi and Otteri in Vellore feature better facilities such as separate cabins for a duty doctor, four nurses, and other staff; a common visitors' hall; separate wards for specialised treatment; laboratory facilities; and well-furnished pharmacy with additional stocks. They will function between 8 a.m and 3 p.m on all days except Sundays. They have operation theatres and six beds for in-patients. Adequate parking space for ambulances and other vehicles are also provided. 'Now, women and senior citizens can easily gain access to better healthcare facilities. Earlier, we had to travel to the health centre in Old Town (Vellore), around 8 km from here,' said C. Pavitra, a resident. In Ranipet, which has 36 PHCs, the UPHC was opened at Kavanur village near Arcot town. Earlier, residents had to travel at least 8-10 km to reach Thimiri, the nearest town that has a health centre. Land for the new centre was donated by residents. On an average, each PHC should span two acres, whereas an upgraded health centre should cover five acres to provide more facilities such as staff quarters, additional buildings, and parking facilities. Five Urban Health and Wellness Centres, each built at ₹25 lakh, were also opened within the Vellore Corporation limits. The centre will have a doctor, a nurse, and a sanitation inspector. Each centre will function between 8 a.m. and noon, and 4 p.m.-8 p.m. on all days.
New Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Illness outbreak in TN's Woraiyur sparks outrage over water, drainage failure
TIRUCHY: Residents of Woraiyur are seething in anger and frustration over official apathy after over 50 people in the locality fell ill with vomiting and diarrhoea since Saturday and had to be admitted in hospital. "This is about the negligence we've endured, we have been facing the issue with unclean water for over a year," said Kumar (name changed) a resident of Panickan Street, who got discharged from hospital. His frustration echoes across Pancikan Street and Minnappan Street where most of the people have fallen ill. Though corporation officials claim that eating contaminated food, allegedly served during the Chithirai festival, may be the reason, residents blame the poor quality of drinking water and say the area does not have proper drainage facility which may have caused contamination. Streets have now been dug up for emergency repairs but locals say it's too late and too reactive. R. Lakshmanan of Minnappan Street pointed to "mindless underground planning" and said, "No one knows where the leaks are or the issue would have been be permanently fixed. Why didn't they notice all these issues before instead of digging up the entire place. All the time officials blame contractors. During rain, the water doesn't drain at all in these narrow channels." Others like Kaliyamurthy pointed out structural flaws in newly constructed channels. "The mismatch in alignment results in sewage overflow. My house was flooded with waste more than once, and I was down with diarrhoea," he said. While water samples collected on Monday were declared safe by the Corporation, residents demand accountability. A senior corporation official said the sewage system and water supply are well separated. He added that upon specific complaints, officials are taking immediate action. On Wednesday, drinking water was supplied through tankers and pipeline supply is likely to resume on Wednesday, said a corporation official.
