Devarsholai residents want new building for sub-health centre

Residents of Devarsholai urge Nilgiris district to replace dilapidated sub-health centre for better community healthcare services.

Residents of Devarsholai have called on the Nilgiris district administration to begin construction of a sub-health centre in place of an existing building that they allege is in a state of dilapidation.

H. Nazar, councillor of Ward Number 7 in Devarsholai panchayat, said that the sub-health centre had been functioning in the area for many decades and was benefiting residents of more than 10 villages. However, due to heavy rain and a lack of upkeep, the building was in a state of dilapidation and local residents feared that it may collapse, leading them to choose not to avail of the health centre’s services, he said.

Locals stated that the Health Department had even allocated funds for a new building and that the contractor had even begun exploratory works to begin construction, but then the work soon stalled. “It has been alleged that the land on which the sub-health centre currently stands is classified as Section 17 land under the Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969,” said Mr. Nazar.

He said that as the building has been at the same location for many decades, it is also situated close to other important public service buildings, such as schools, libraries, community halls and anganwadi centers.

“We call upon the government to immediately begin work on the new building and appoint two staff to be posted there permanently,” he added.