Tiruchi Corporation plans to popularise polyclinics among public

The Tiruchi Corporation’s Public Health department has decided to sensitise the city residents, especially people from economically weaker sections, on the healthcare services offered through polyclinics

The Tiruchi Corporation’s Public Health department has decided to sensitise the city residents, especially people from economically weaker sections, on the healthcare services offered through polyclinics. 

General and specialist treatment are made available to outpatients at the polyclinics. Specialists treat patients for multiple ailments on specified days. There is one polyclinic per zone in Tiruchi. These are open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Ophthalmologists, dermatologists, gynaecologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, and physiotherapists are among some of the specialists present at polyclinics on allotted days. 

On an average, specialists at each polyclinic treat about 20 patients for dental problems, psychiatry, and physiotherapy daily. This figure doubles to about 40 patients for obstetric and paediatric care, general medicine, and dermatology. 

Polyclinics provide quick and easy access to free healthcare for people, said M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer. 

However, the services available at polyclinics remain underutilised as many people were unaware of the treatments offered and timings, said Dr. Chandran. 

“To overcome this, boards notifying treatment and timings of specialists will be posted outside AB-Health and Wellness centres, zonal offices, tax collection centres, water bill collection centres, and birth and death certificate offices soon,” Dr. Chandran added.