Delhi-model 'mohalla clinics' yet to become operational

MANGALURU: Though the previous Congress government sanctioned health kiosks for nine towns in and around Mangaluru in November 2017, they are yet to be made functional.

The department of health and family welfare was planning to open health kiosks at Krishnapura, Meenakaliya, Jappinamogaru, Saripalla and Alake in Mangaluru City limits, Kotepura, Thokkottu, Kulala Bhavana and Olapete in Ullal limits. Accordingly, container-based pre-fabricated aluminum kiosks of 10x10x8ft dimension were brought in March this year. However, medical services are yet to be started, though the government spent nearly Rs 4.5 lakh for each kiosk. The health department has blamed the urban local bodies for not providing basic facilities to open the kiosks.

In fact, it was the brainchild of district minister U T Khader, who sanctioned it during his tenure as health minister in the previous government. Various medical services were planned to be provided by health staff through the kiosks between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Pregnancy test, pregnancy care, post-natal care, immunization, intrauterine contraceptive device insertion, malnutrition check-up, analysis of blood and urine for detection of various diseases and health awareness are the major services planned to provide through the kiosks. There were plans to depute junior women health assistants to provide service and the department also was in talks with private medical colleges to open it.

Though all the nine kiosks were installed, the department is yet to open them and they cite lack of basic facilities as a reason. “All the kiosks are ready, but we are not able to make it functional as drinking water and electricity connections have not been provided. We have been putting efforts to make them functional. The issue has already been brought to the notice of the deputy commissioner,” child health officer Dr Ashok H told TOI.

He added that all the health kiosks will be opened by the end of this month. If opened, the health kiosks will be a blessing for daily wagers, autorickshaw drivers, street vendors and poor people, who find it difficult to reach hospitals.