Vattiyoorkavu, Kerala PHC Gets a Swanky Makeover

With new facilities such as waiting room for patients, a modern laboratory, drinking water dispenser, pharmacy and television, the primary health center (PHC) at Vattiyoorkavu, Kerala has been upgraded as a family health center and is all set to provide medical care in a patient-friendly atmosphere. The renovated laboratory is the latest addition to the model health center. It was inaugurated by Mayor V K Prasanth on Saturday. The lab is now equipped with a new hematology analyzer – an automated device used for conducting various blood tests. The device is expected to provide results at a faster rate. As part of upgradation, an assistant surgeon, a staff nurse and a lab technician have been allotted to the center in addition to the existing staff. According to hospital in charge Dr Annie Twinkle Thomas, the mission focuses on ensuring the best services to the patients.

“The center has now turned into a disabled -friendly health center as it provides ramp facility for disabled patients. It has a dining area, separate cabins for doctors, an air-conditioned storage area for keeping medicines and has a lawn area with vertical gardens. The main goal of uplifting the primary health center to family health center is to ensure quality basic healthcare services to the residents through e-health scheme. There are around 16,000 families residing under five wards. Asha workers and junior health attenders conducted a survey on basic details of residents in the area, which will be updated online. Their medical history will be linked to computers of lab and doctor’s cabin. Patients need not to carry their documents while coming to the center,” said Thomas. Nisha Chandra, a resident of Vattiyoorkavu, who sought treatment at FHC in the past week, said she was impressed with the facilities at the center. “My concept about a government hospital has changed. Everything was professional at the center and I will give full marks to them,” she said. Efforts are underway to make it a 24-hour healthcare facility. – TOI