The Chennai Corporation Welfare Centre Dispensary, located on Natesan Nagar Fifth Main Road, Virugambakkam, is being upgraded to an Urban Primary Health Centre at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh.
The residents of Virugambakkam have been demanding this for long.
Started in 1992, the dispensary is a lifeline for less-privileged people looking for free healthcare.
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In the past, several residents had written to the Chennai Corporation requesting it to be upgraded into a full-fledged hospital. But, no action was taken.
“The UPHC will have scanning facilities, a medical laboratory, an ECG, X-ray, maternity ward, multi-speciality departments, and free ambulance services to rush the patient to the Government Kilpauk Medical College or Government Royapettah Hospital in case of medical emergencies,” official sources said.
The Centre will function on the lines of a Government hospital, the sources pointed out.
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Apart from this, a park will be developed in the vicinity, where herbal seedlings will be planted and a garden will come up in the outer periphery of the Centre.
The work is on in full swing to upgrade the dispensary. “In another 15 to 20 days, the work will be completed,” the sources added.