The population of Rajeev nagar, Ajith Singh Nagar, Vambay Colony and other areas under Vijayawada Central constituency feel the absence of a big government hospital within their vicinities.
In this area are concentrated day labourers of the city. But they can’t afford to be treated in private clinics as they have to commute to other parts of town for work every day. Also there are not many ambulances,” say residents.
Lakshmi remembers last year when her sister Durgamma had a late pregnancy that was characterized by contractions with fear. “We called on 108 but were told that because it is raining, it will take them some time before reaching us. The only option we had was boarding an old government general hospital auto-rickshaw” Me and child are safe but I remember how that experience exposed us into tensions.
According to Sheikh Peeru, member of CPI(M), who lives here even if it doesn’t rain, ambulances do not reach here in time. “For minor ailments people have got options such as UPHCs around the urban area. Any other complication makes one move either to new Government General Hospital or old Government General Hospital which respectively lie 10km and 7 km away thereby spending at least ₹200 fare,” says he.
UPHCs become out of reach for most workers returning home after dark since they serve as daycare facilities only according to taxpayers’ Association secretary M.V.Anjaneyulu.“People come from neighboring hamlets also for pregnancies related cases while It could have been more useful if everything is provided,” adds he.
However M.Suhasini NTR District Medical and Health Officer stresses that UPHCs deal with minor illnesses alone; for childbirth or any other major health issue, individuals would have to go outside GGH boundaries.
Leaders of The CPI(M) want UPHC converted into mini govt general hospital(GGH) to help all residents access it. They also included it in their election manifesto.
