JOIN USThis public health centre is comatose
One thing that has remained constant at Mustrahalli village is the primary health sub-centre which has remained closed for the last 12 years.
It was, of course opened for a couple of times. However, that was only for repair and renovation.
Mustrahalli village comes under Donimadagu Panchayat limits in Bangarpet taluk. Though the sub-centre was opened 30 years back, it has remained closed for the last several years. In the initial years, the sub-centre functioned well. However, when staff shortage reached its pinnacle, the shutters were downed and the centre seems to have closed permanently.
Being located on the borders of the State, the people of this region suffer during medical emergencies. In case of mishaps or accidents or during other emergencies, the people are forced to travel 25 km and reach Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh, the nearest place where treatment is available or travel to Kamasamudram, which is 30 km away from Mustrahalli and seek the facilities available at the Primary Health Centre situated there.
At times, for additional treatment or for suitable medicine, the patients have to travel all the way to Bangarpet town, which is again 40 km away from Mustrahalli, the residents of the village lament.
Though the district health officer had been appealed several times in this regard, it has not been of much use, the village elders say. A few years back, when the residents brought this to the notice of the then deputy commissioner Nayak, he immediately got the centre opened and even got it repaired. He took all the damage-control measures and ensured that it started functioning.
No efforts made
The sub-centre did function for a few days. Then suddenly it stopped functioning, and till date has remained closed. After that, no efforts have been made to revive it, says farmer M T Rajappa.
The Government has been implementing various programmes for the benefit of the rural people and is also spending crores of amount for the same. However, the benefits of the same fail to reach the masses in the right manner.
Says, member of the Donimodagu Gram Panchayat Jayanna, it is disappointing to note that the officials of the Health department were not keen on the opening of the health centre. They should show the interest and the inclination and ensure that the centre re-opened in the interests of the rural residents.
The residents further lament that the building which hosts the Primary Health sub-centre is now in a dilapidated condition. The premises is full of bushes and trees with thorny vegetation grown haphazardly. The windows and doors are rusted and the building itself looks like it badly requires some first aid.
The residents of Mustrahalli have urged the authorities concerned to do something about the centre and see to it that it was put to the best of its services, in the interests and health of the people living in the border areas.