By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

The Kavalam grama panchayat in Kuttanad has made care and medical support facilities available for bedridden patients and those in need of palliative care. The Family Health Centre under the local body has been focussing on palliative treatment and around 130 patients receive home care services every month.

Facilities such as a palliative nurse and a vehicle, provided through a district panchayat project, have been made available for this purpose. Every year, ₹5 lakh is allocated by the district panchayat and ₹1 lakh by the block panchayat for the programme. Through the project, items such as wheelchairs and diapers are distributed for free to patients as required.

Health centre upgraded

With the aim of providing better healthcare facilities to the public, the Kavalam Primary Health Centre under the panchayat was recently upgraded to a Family Health Centre, enabling the local body to carry out health-related activities more effectively.

A new building for the Family Health Centre has been constructed with modern facilities at a cost of ₹56.5 lakh. The centre is equipped with a three-part haematology analyser for blood count tests, a merilyzer for blood sample analysis, and other diagnostic instruments. It also includes facilities such as an OP counter, laboratory, and pharmacy. On an average, around 175 people visit the centre daily for treatment.

The centre offers the services of one health inspector, two junior health inspectors, five junior public health nurses and one public health nurse. Laboratory facilities are available for tests related to lifestyle diseases, urine analysis, and fever. A special outpatient clinic conducted once a month for mental health support has been providing relief to many patients. At present, 42 patients are receiving treatment at the centre.