Rain hinders patient movement to PHCs

Residents of Tambaram, Chrompet, Vadapalani, Guindy, Perambur, Kodambakkam and other areas complained of disruption in regular medical services at local PHCs.

S Jaykumar, a resident of Vadapalani, said inundation on several streets near SIMS Hospital in Vadapalani proved to be a major obstacle for patients who wanted to visit the PHC near Gangaiamman Koil Street. “Even mild showers lead to flooding near the PHC and heavy rain since Monday evening made it worse,” Jaykumar said.

Several government hospitals have suffered from flooding during northeast monsoon in the past few years due and PHCs in many areas face the same situation.

Dayanand Krishnan from Tambaram said the nearest PHC to Shanthi Nagar is not functional and they have to go to Chrompet GH or other PHCs in West Tambaram. Similarly, the PHC at Bharathi Nagar in Perambur has been non-functional for many years now and the other PHC in Ramana Nagar is about 5 km away from the old premises.