Sehore (Madhya Pradesh): The names of sub-health centres may have been rechristened as Arogya Mandir, but their system of working has not changed.
Most of the time Arogya Mandirs remain locked, and the patients move from one place to another for treatment. The government spent a lot of money to set up sub-health centres, for which staffers were appointed and health equipment provided. But the villagers are fed up with the behavior of the health staff.
One such health centre is in Khandwa village under Shyampur block. It always remains locked, villagers said, adding that they have to go to Sehore district hospital, which is very far from the area. Most of the employees of the sub-health centre remain absent.
A resident of Khandwa village Bala Prasad Verma said the health centre did not open on time. A youth Praveen Verma said he had complained about it through the CM Helpline, but the complaint was not heard.
The residents of five villages have to count on the health centre, but because it remains closed, they have to go to other places for treatment.
Besides 5,000 people in Khandwa village, those who live in Kachnariya, Dhobikhedi, Palasi and Sarkheda also go to Arogya Mandir in Khandwa. Because the health centre remains under lock and key, the villagers have to go to faraway places for medical aid.
When the issue was put up before community health centre officer Ruchi Verma, she said the work of making Ayushman cards was going on. She has to look after the residents of five villages where she visits to treat the patients, Verma said.
Chief block medical officer of Shyampour Dr Naveen Meher said that if a community health centre officer neglected work, a report would be sent to chief medical and health officer (CMHO) for appropriate action. Local legislator Sudesh Rai said the doctors were being posted and equipment provided to CHCs for medical aid to villagers.
Rai said he would inform the CMHO about such conduct of CHO and other staff of the sub-health centre.
