Two primary health centres (PHCs) with full funding coming from the Central Government sponsored-National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has been sanctioned for Coimbatore district.
The Mukkanur village in Annur Block and Anaikatti hilly terrain in Perianaickenpalayam Block are the two places chosen for the new PHCs.
Deputy Director of Public Health R. Damodharan told The Hindu that the proposal was sanctioned during a review meeting of the NRHM held at Chennai on Friday. Each of the PHC was likely to cost around Rs. 26 lakh.
The Annur Block had a population of 1.05 lakh as per the 2011 census. With the Department of Public Health’s norms mandating a PHC for every 30,000 residents, he said that this block required four PHCs but had only two at present. The nearest health sub centre for Annur was at Solavaranpalayam. The two PHCs are located at Pogalur and Annur.
Land measuring 1.57 acres has already been identified at Mukkanur village. Further, till such time the construction of the PHC was completed, the local people have come forward to provide a building for the PHC to function.
Population
The Perianaickenpalayam Block has a population of around 2.80 lakh and should have nine PHCs. However, it has only four at present. Land identification for the new PHC was under way. The nearest PHCs are located at Mathampalayam and Perianaickenpalayam.
Apart from the two PHCs that have been sanctioned, Dr. Damodharan said that they have also recommended establishing a PHC at Solavaranpatti in Pollachi South Block. With its population of 1.10 lakh, it must have four PHCs. At present, it has three, he said, adding that land was already available in the area for establishing a PHC.
At present, Coimbatore has 47 primary health centres, one district headquarters hospital at Pollachi besides eight Taluk and non-Taluk Government Hospitals.
