Anbumani Ramadoss Fights for Rural Healthcare: Don't Move Kaduvetti's Lifeline PHC!

A crucial battle for accessible healthcare is unfolding in Tamil Nadu, spearheaded by PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss. In a passionate plea echoing the concerns of thousands, Ramadoss has vehemently urged the state government to abandon its controversial proposal to relocate the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Kaduvetti village, Cheyyar taluk of Tiruvannamalai district.

This move, he warns, threatens to sever a vital lifeline for a sprawling rural community, leaving countless residents vulnerable and without immediate medical access.

For over a decade, the Kaduvetti PHC has stood as a beacon of health and hope, diligently serving not just Kaduvetti but also approximately 20 surrounding villages.

Its doors open to a staggering 25,000 people, providing essential medical services, particularly for women, children, and the elderly. It is a cornerstone of public health infrastructure, a place where minor ailments are treated before they escalate, and where expectant mothers receive crucial prenatal care, often saving lives.

The proposed relocation would force these villagers to undertake arduous journeys of up to 10 kilometres to reach the nearest alternative facility.

Imagine the plight of a pregnant woman in labour, an elderly person with a sudden emergency, or a child suffering from a high fever – every kilometre added is a barrier, every minute lost a potential tragedy. Ramadoss emphatically states that this displacement would inflict immense hardship, undoing years of progress in bringing healthcare closer to the rural populace.

Furthermore, Ramadoss points out the illogical nature of the decision.

The current PHC building in Kaduvetti, constructed just 10 years ago, remains in good condition, perfectly capable of continuing its vital work. Why abandon a functional, well-established facility that meets the community's needs? He highlights that land has already been allotted for the construction of a new building within Kaduvetti village itself.

This presents a perfectly viable solution: upgrade or rebuild the PHC within the village, maintaining its crucial accessibility without uprooting its services.

The local community's voice against this relocation is loud and clear. A petition bearing over 5,000 signatures, representing the collective anguish and opposition of the villagers, has already been submitted to the authorities.

Anbumani Ramadoss, a former Union Health Minister, underscored that the government's primary responsibility is to safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable. He urged the Chief Minister to intervene personally, stressing that the new PHC building must be constructed either at the existing site or on the newly allotted land, strictly within Kaduvetti village, ensuring that the heartbeat of rural healthcare continues uninterrupted for its deserving people.