Revitalized Potali Health Center Now Offers Telemedicine Services

The re-constructed Primary Health Center in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, once damaged by Naxals, is now delivering health services and telemedicine to remote villages. A dedicated team provides comprehensive care, earning multiple government awards. Efforts to further enhance facilities are ongoing.

With the state government's support, a primary health center in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, which was damaged by Naxals, is now serving remote villages with comprehensive health care and telemedicine facilities. According to Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Sanjay Basak, the insurgents damaged the Potali Primary Health Center in 2009, halting health services for villagers.

The CMHO stated, 'The health center was re-constructed with the help of the Chhattisgarh Government in 2011.' Currently, it has a team comprising one MBBS doctor, two RMAs, and three nurses who provide improved healthcare to the community. The center covers around 25 villages in Potali and some parts of Sukma district.

The primary health center has won the Kayakalp award four times and is working towards meeting the National Quality Assurance Standards. 'The primary health center significantly benefits the local population by addressing all health issues and serious complications,' the CMHO noted. For severe cases, the center connects with district hospitals and specialists for treatment and diagnosis. Telemedicine facilities were introduced two months ago with government support, according to Basak.

Dantewada Collector Mayank Chaturvedi emphasized that Potali Health Center is strategically important due to its large catchment area, serving people from neighboring gram panchayats. 'Our priority is to strengthen the Potali primary health center, and the introduction of telemedicine will greatly help those in remote areas,' he remarked, adding that the team is dedicated to their mission. Chaturvedi assured that efforts to enhance the center's facilities are ongoing.