Public health lab at Madurai PHC not in use, Ma Su initiates action against district officials
During a surprise inspection at the upgraded Government Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Valayankulam in Madurai on Tuesday, the minister found that the Regional Public Health Laboratory building was unused at the PHC.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian (X)
CHENNAI: Health Minister Ma Subramanian has ordered action against district health officials in Madurai after discovering that the Regional Public Health Laboratory at a Primary Health Centre remained non-functional a-year-and-a-half after its inauguration.
He conducted a surprise inspection at the upgraded Government Primary Health Centre in Valayankulam in Madurai on Tuesday, where he discovered that the lab, built at the cost of Rs 50 lakh, and inaugurated in June 2023, has remained unused for over a year.
He inquired about the reasons, to which the District Health Officer and Regional Medical Officer said that the facility did not have electricity and water connections, though the facility was inaugurated more than a year ago. Acting on the same, the minister has ordered a departmental inquiry and action against the responsible officials, including the Madurai District Health Officer and Valayankulam Regional Medical Officer, for their negligence and inaction.
The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has been instructed to take necessary action. An explanation will be sought from the DHOs regarding the issue as they had failed to ensure the facility is put to use.