Paderu Tribals Benefit from Advanced Treatment Facilities at District GH

 Visakhapatnam: The transformation of the Paderu tribal area community health centre (CHC) into a district-level government hospital last year has benefitted the locals across ASR district.

Previously, they had to travel to the King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam for caesarean and other major surgeries and treatments. Now, the government hospital is a multi-specialty facility and has advanced medical services.

The tribal region has long grappled with high prevalence of sickle cell anaemia, skin diseases and seasonal illnesses like malaria and dengue. Tuberculosis also had a severe impact. However, since the hospital's upgrade, such ailments have decreased.

The health centre had around 120 beds. The capacity has been expanded to 400-450 beds. The hospital has performed over 2,300 surgeries since becoming a government hospital last year.

In the past three months, the hospital conducted 330 major and 290 minor operations. From March 26, 2023, to February 25, 2024, the hospital performed 1,092 major surgeries and 10,120 minor surgeries. The outpatient (OP) entries stood at 600-650 patients daily.

In a recent study on psoriasis conducted in 10 Ashram schools, the hospital recorded a 97 per cent cure rate. The hospital has day and night facilities for screening procedures such as CT scans, X-rays and other immunological tests.

The hospital's superintendent Dr Viswamitra, talking to Deccan Chronicle, highlighted the introduction of round-the-clock screening systems and the successful research on skin diseases. She expressed a desire to expand the research project to other schools, pending approval from the project manager.

The hospital issues certificates for sickle cell anaemia, aiding residents in accessing the related benefits. In the ASR region, 30 per cent of the population carries the sickle cell anemia trait, with 10 per cent facing such serious health problems.

"Our hospital offers comprehensive screening tests, including CT scans, X-rays, ventilators, central oxygen facilities, dialysis and cancer screening tests. We also have specialists such as pediatricians, ophthalmologists, endocrinologists and facilities for TB screening," she added.

The hospital faces a shortage of nurses. Out of 220 sanctioned posts, only 40 posts were filled. The superintendent called for urgent attention to the staffing issue.