Urban primary health centres in Tiruchi to get operation theatres, more facilities for patients

The Tiruchi Corporation has planned to construct operation theatres with additional facilities at six urban primary health centres (UPHC).

The Tiruchi Corporation has planned to construct operation theatres with additional facilities at six urban primary health centres (UPHC) in the city.

The initiative aims at improving the healthcare infrastructure, ensuring residents have access to quality medical care and emergency services. The new operation theatres will be equipped with modern medical equipment and would be have an area of 1,000 sq. ft. with additional infrastructure such as preparation rooms, post-operative wards, and other facilities. The number of inpatient beds will also be increased. The approximate cost of the facility is said to be around ₹3 crore.

The new UPHCs being built at Subramaniyapuram, Panjapur, Ariyamangalam, and Beerangikulam are set to have operation theatres, in addition to the inpatient facility, consultation rooms, and labs. Additional buildings with operation theatres will be constructed on the premises of the UPHCs at Edamalaipatti Pudur and Tiruverumbur.

“Steps are being taken to set up theatre facilities at the UPHCs at Subramaniyapuram, Beerangikulam, and Edamalaipatti Pudur in the first phase as these centres receive good patronage. The facility is aimed at monitoring and preventing complications during pregnancy and post-delivery,” said M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer.

As these UPHCs are located in close proximity, the public can undergo surgeries, especially during emergencies, at the centres instead of travelling to Tiruchi GH, which is farther away. The facility is aimed at covering the low-income groups in the locality.

With the upgrade, these centres will need an obstetrician, paediatrician, surgeon and anaesthesiologist to operate the facility. The corporation plans to hire doctors on a rotational basis to perform basic surgery at these centres.

In future, when the UPHCs are upgraded into the status of family health centres, this infrastructure would be a major boost to the health sector in the city. Going forward, all new UPHCs will have mini operation theatres, added Dr. Chandran.