Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 8: Namma Clinics, which are functioning at 12 different places in Dakshina Kannada district, are getting good response from the public. The number of people availing themselves of health care service in these clinics is increasing every month.

In December 2022, Namma Clinics were opened at 10 places. In the first month 2,929 people took treatment. In February 2023, two more clinics were opened in the city. Now the number of people availing themselves of health care service has doubled in just six months. In the month of May, 6,005 people took treatment in these centres.

Dr M Kishore Kumar, district health and family welfare officer says, “Excepting holidays, doctors are available from 9 am to 4.30 pm on all days in the clinics. These clinics were opened in areas where number of poor and migrant workers is higher. They work in the same fashion as private clinics. There are four personnel including a staff nurse, a lab technician and an assistant along with a doctor. Consultation and medicines are provided free of cost.”

Fazal of Kodimbala said, “In the Namma Vlinics of the district in the first six months on an average 14.68 people availed themselves of medical treatment on a daily basis. In the clinics of Meenakaliya, Boloor, Sootarpete and Kodical of Mangaluru, Kodimbala of Kadaba and Duggaladka of Sullia the average is 25 patients a day.”

Gantalkatte Namma Clinic at Moodbidri has recorded the highest number of patients. In six months a whopping 5,181 people have visited this clinic. Compared to other Namma Clinics the number over here is two times higher. On an average 28 people visit this clinic everyday.

The demand for opening Namma Clinics is increasing. Members of the public are urging the government authorities to open more of such clinics in the city. Now the health department is making plans to open five more clinics in the city area.