Chennai gets 47 of 200 mini-clinics in phase one

According to a Chennai Corporation official, the 47 mini-clinics would be opened during phase one and 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 6 each. Most of the mini-clinics are coming up at the existing urban primary health centre buildings, corporation gyms and division offices.

Recently, the State government 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.

Also, the government has instructed the civic body to set up the clinics close to areas where a large number of construction workers and migrant labourers live.

“The Chief Minister will inaugurate one of the in Royapuram zone and will visit another two on Monday. Remaining clinics, at least one clinic for each of 200 divisions, will be opened in phases,” an official said.

Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar inspected the mini-clinics being set up for primary health services in Chennai on Sunday.

As part of its first phase, a total of 630 mini-clinics will be opened across various parts of the State. A total of 200 mini-clinics will be opened in the Greater Chennai Corporation limits and 200 others will be opened in the urban pockets that are heavily populated.

The clinic area will comprise of a well-illuminated room with a minimum of 200 square feet area and a separate examination room along with essential furniture and infrastructure for the installation of regular medical devices. 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 Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation.

An MBBS medical officer under the Urban Health Mission, along with staff nurse and multipurpose hospital worker through the National Health Mission, will be deployed. 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, and about 630 mini-clinics will be opened in one month.