PHCs will offer better health services, says Khader

The Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits will be given a facelift under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), to ensure better health services to public.

Speaking after the launch of services at the PHCs under NUHM, Health Minister U T Khader said here on Tuesday: “The PHCs would be upgraded in a phased manner with the help of the State and the Central government funds. Free medicine and treatment to slumdwellers will be provided, apart from offering services like treatment of communicable diseases, H1N1, among others.”

Mayor Shanthakumari, who was also present on the occasion, said that the civic agency used to spend money for providing services at PHCs.

“Now that they have been brought under the NUHM, the programme implementation will be borne by the Centre and the State, in 75 and 25 per cent ratio. We have prepared projects to be undertaken at the health centres and they will soon implemented in a phased manner.”

Some of the projects that would be undertaken, include setting up six mobile health units, health kiosks to provide emergency services at crowded places, distribution of free medicine to hospitals, etc.

The BBMP officials said that a nodal officer had been appointed in the Palike head office for the implementation of the scheme.