THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Oct 3: It was a different kind of inspection of a government health centre that Palamu Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Kumar did late Wednesday, in the sub-health centre at Satbarwa about 27 km from Daltonganj.
He sat and examined patients there along with the centre’s doctor Jairam.
There came three Burqa-clad woman patients. Two of them reached him who were prescribed medicines by the civil surgeon.
High patient turnout
Speaking to this Jharkhand Story correspondent Dr Anil Kumar said, “Our doctor and paramedics were on duty. The footfall of the patients was enormous on October 2 here at this centre when everyone knew October 2 was a national holiday. I decided to sit across the examination table and treat the patients.”
On average 4,000 to 4,500 patients visit this Satbarwa sub-health centre every month, added Dr Anil Kumar.
“If the OPD here sees around 50,000 patients a year, then the face value of this sub-health centre can be adjudged as one of the few best health catering institutions of the government,” added Dr Anil Kumar.
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No shortage of medical supplies
Common-use medicines for fever, loose motion, vomiting, body aches, swelling etc were available in plenty.
Drops and syrups for children were found in good numbers there, said the civil surgeon.
Dr Anil Kumar said this sub-health centre located right across NH 75 is an oasis of medical relief to the locals as well as people who find ‘some sort of problem in their highway journey’.
BP instrument was in full order. A blood test for sugar was available.
On being asked if normal delivery is conducted here to which Dr Anil Kumar said, “It’s an average of 10 a month.”
For delivery and baby care lots of water is required. This sub-health centre at Satbarwa has a perennial source of water.
Officials grow lemon grass for tea
The Civil surgeon told this correspondent, “I have hardly found lemon grass growing at any government health centre. Here at Satbarwa sub health centre, officials grow lemon grasses.”
“Tea is hardly bought from the nearby shop. Here cups of tea are prepared with lemon grasses. ANMs do the job in their off time when there is no patient around. It’s a lovely idea,” added the civil surgeon.
“I will motivate health and para medical officials of our 10 community health centres to grow such herbs if they have some chunk of land there and I know our community health centre has enough land where such a mini-scale herb garden can be developed,” reiterated the civil surgeon.
There is one such mini orchard at the Panki Community Health Centre.
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Focus on sickle cell anaemia testing
About the ongoing test and treatment for sickle cell anaemia, the civil surgeon said, “We have been given a target for 2.20 lakh tests for sickle cell anaemia. We have so far achieved 54 per cent of the target. Our effort is to achieve this target fast.”
Reminded that it’s a festive season and eligibles just defer such tests for another day or weeks and this may delay getting the target completed to which the civil surgeon reiterated, “I ask people especially people below 40 years of age to go for sickle cell anaemia test no matter what the festive season is all about. Good health is itself a big celebration.”
