Jayapur (Koraput): Residents of the remote Kotia area in Koraput district will now have greater access to specialist healthcare services, with the State Government stepping up efforts to bring specialised medical care closer to people living in inaccessible areas.
The Health & Family Welfare Department has taken the initiative to provide regular specialist services at the Kotia Primary Health Centre (PHC). As part of the programme, the Shaheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH), Koraput, is deputing one specialist doctor each from the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Community Medicine to the PHC every Friday.
The move is aimed at reducing the need for residents of the remote area to travel long distances for specialist consultation and treatment. It will also strengthen access to maternal and child healthcare services in the area.
According to the programme, specialist medical teams will visit Kotia on nine scheduled dates between June 12 and October 3 this year. During the visits, doctors will provide specialist consultations and other essential healthcare services to people in the area.
The initiative also includes a strong focus on preventive healthcare and disease surveillance. The Department of Community Medicine is conducting special health check-up programmes for adults and elderly people, besides carrying out primary health screenings for schoolchildren.
Health awareness programmes are also being organised to promote safe drinking water, sanitation and personal hygiene among local residents. People are being sensitised on the importance of using mosquito nets and taking preventive measures against mosquito-borne and communicable diseases.
The programmes also seek to create greater awareness about lifestyle-related illnesses and encourage early detection and timely treatment.
Health officials said the integration of specialist medical services with preventive healthcare and awareness activities would help strengthen healthcare delivery in the remote area.
The State Government has been focusing on ensuring that geographical remoteness does not prevent people from accessing essential healthcare. Regular grassroots-level services, specialist treatment, early disease detection and preventive healthcare measures are expected to be further strengthened in Kotia.
