One year after its construction, Vanduvancheri PHC is yet to be inaugurated

The Vanduvancheri PHC in Vedaranyam taluk in Nagapattinam district awaits inauguration.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Residents of Vanduvancheri and neighbouring panchayats in Vedaranyam taluk have been eagerly awaiting the inauguration of a newly constructed Primary Health Centre (PHC), intended to ease the burden on the Vaimedu PHC. However, despite being completed over a year ago, the facility remains non-functional.

The new PHC aims at reducing patient congestion at the Vaimedu PHC, which caters to seven panchayats. The facility is expected to serve residents from Annapettai, Thanikkoottagam, and Vanduvanchery panchayats, providing them with better healthcare access.

Sources said the delay in the inauguration was primarily because of lack of a proper pathway connecting the PHC building to the main road. This accessibility issue has come in the way of formal opening of the facility. However, officials from the Rural Development Department said the pathway problem had been addressed.

Karunakaran K.T., a farmer from Vanduvanchery, voiced his frustration, saying: “It has been nearly a year since the construction was completed, but the PHC remains non-operational. The Health and Wellness Centre located near the new building has been inactive for sometime. Meanwhile, the Thulasiyapattinam Health and Wellness Centre, which is supposed to serve the region, lacks a dedicated building and is in a dilapidated state.”

Official sources said the PHC was sanctioned as part of the 2023-24 State budget, under which one new PHC was allocated to every district. Given that the existing Vaimedu PHC is overburdened, this new facility was approved to improve healthcare services in the region.

While all infrastructure work had been completed, the facility still awaits electricity connection. The State government authorities are expected to allocate medical staff after the inauguration. As for the Thulasiyapattinam Health and Wellness Centre, sources confirmed that the building was too old and awaits demolition, with temporary health services continuing from an adjacent structure.