Chhattisgarh’s Sub Health Center Potali Reopens After 20-Year
New Delhi: In a significant achievement, the Sub Health Center Potali in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district has resumed operations after a 20-year delay due to Naxal violence. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized this milestone, highlighting the center’s transformation into an Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Center.
The center, located in the Naxal-affected Kuakonda block, was initially built in 2003 but remained non-operational due to security concerns. Residents were forced to rely on a temporary health center 10 km away, with women facing significant challenges in accessing healthcare services.
In 2021, the government decided to develop Potali as an Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Center, with support from WHO India. Despite facing setbacks, including an IED blast that killed 10 security personnel and the murder of a local leader, the collective efforts of local residents, the district administration, and the health department ultimately led to the center’s reopening.
The newly functional facility now provides essential healthcare services to over 2,500 residents from three nearby villages. The center offers a range of services, including a six-bed ward and consultations from qualified medical personnel.
The reopening of Sub Health Center Potali demonstrates the power of collaboration between government bodies, local communities, and international organizations. This achievement serves as a model for delivering essential healthcare services in challenging environments.
Local residents have welcomed the center’s reopening, with Sarpanch Lalita Mandvi expressing relief that women will no longer have to travel far for treatment. Community Health Officer Ritu Kunjam emphasized the significance of the center, stating that it will provide easy access to quality healthcare services.
