THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Urban health care is all set to get a fresh boost with the opening of full-fledged laboratories at all urban primary and community health centres in the state capital.
The work of setting up seven laboratories, which were undertaken as part of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), at urban primary health centres in the Corporation area is nearing completion.
There are around 12 health centres within the city limits. With the opening of the laboratories, the urban poor would be able to do all diagnostic tests free of cost.
Currently, all the tests are being referred to public or private laboratories. The PHC’s which will be benefitted include Kuriathy, Thrikannapuram, Kamaleswaram, Jagathy, Pettah, Chakkai, Secretariat, Kuravankonam, Chalai, Kajirampara and Kalippankulam. The Centre had allotted around Rs 47 crore to launch the project in the state.
A top official of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) told DC that the project would be a boon to the public.
“Paramedical staff would be recruited to operate the labs. Lab technicians would be recruited through the PSC. Each unit is being set up at a cost of '8 lakh,” said the official. The construction work of the laboratory at Chakkai is almost completed.
All the primary health centres in the Corporation area were upgraded into urban primary health centres last year as part of the NUHM initiative. “The initiative was launched to improve field activities in urban areas,” the official said.
