Chennai: In a major boost to the State’s healthcare system, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today inaugurated the first phase of mini-clinics across Tamilnadu.
Speaking to mediapersons after the inauguration, Palaniswami said that Tamilnadu leads the country when it comes to healtcare services.
“Our State has been performing well in healthcare aspects. This year 313 students from the government schools have been admitted in medical colleges,” he said.
He further said that the mini-clinics will be se tup in places where more poor people reside.
“This will ensure that people will get treated in the place where they are residing. The aim of our government is to ensure that people live disease free,” he added.
In the first phase 630 mini-clinics will be opened for public use across the State. This will gradually be increased to 2,000 mini-clinics in Tamilnadu.
As many as 47 mini-clinics have been opened at the Greater Chennai Corporation limit in the first phase.
Sources said that the city will have as many as 200 mini-clinics overall. As per the civic body data, of the 47 mini-clinics, Tondiarpet, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Teynampet zones would have six each. Most of the mini-clinics are coming up at the existing urban primary health centre buildings, Corporation gyms and division offices.
Officials from the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said the clinics will cater to minor health issues such as flu, common cold and fever.
It may be noted that the State government recently issued a government order to constitute 2,000 mini-clinics across the State with the aim of setting up two to three mini-clinics in each assembly constituency.
The civic body has appointed medical officers (doctors), nurses and a worker for the 47 clinics and they would function from 9 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 7 pm.
As far as the facilities are concerned the mini-clinics will comprise of a well-illuminated room with a minimum of 200 square feet area and a separate examination room.
“A separate pharmacy will be set up to store medicines, minor surgical equipment and basic lab reagents. The drugs and logistics required for the clinic will be procured from the Tamilnadu Medical Services Corporation,” sources said.