KOZHIKODE: The district has got two more Family Health Centres (FHC); Nochad and Puthupadi, under the Ardram Mission scheme. Of this, Nochad FHC has started functioning. Thus, the total number of FHCs in the district has risen to five. All the FHCs were upgraded from Primary health centres (PHC). “Unlike a PHC, a FHC will have a minimum of three doctors, four staff nurses, a lab technician and a pharmacist. It will have an outpatient waiting area with 50 seat capacity and TV, modern registration and token system, drinking water facility and special toilet for physically challenged,” said National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) District Programme Manager Dr Bijoy E.
The FHC will be the first point of care for any illness for all the family members from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Apart from a maternal and child-care centre, it will also treat infectious diseases and lifestyle diseases. “Kunnamangalam FHC was also planned in the initial phase but is currently stuck due to the unavailability of MLA fund,” added Dr Bijoy. Rs 14- Rs 15 lakh has been spent on each PHC to convert it into FHC. FHCs are based on the Cuban concept of healthcare, where the doctor concerned is personally connected to each patient and would have detailed knowledge of one’s family's medical history.
