Health Update: Centre cleared Rs 80cr for 124 health & wellness centres in DK: Capt Chowta | Mangaluru News – What Experts Say

Mangaluru: To strengthen health infrastructure in Dakshina Kannada, Central govt approved more than Rs 80 crore for constructing 124 Ayushman Bharat–Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) under the 15th Finance Commission plan. Funding covers 18 centres in Puttur, 26 in Beltangady, 27 in Sullia, 33 in Bantwal, 12 in Moodubidire, and eight in Mangaluru, said Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta.He said funding was approved for 24 HWCs under Finance Commission plan and nine centres under Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to improve rural health infrastructure in Bantwal taluk. Work has commenced at 11 locations in the Bantwal Assembly constituency, and the tender process is underway for the same. Establishment of HWCs at all funded locations will begin soon, he said.The MP and Bantwal MLA U Rajesh Naik conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for 11 HWCs in Bantwal Saturday.Capt Chowta said each HWC was allocated Rs 65 lakh. The building will cover about 2,000 sq ft, with a clinic, wellness centre, day care and restrooms on the ground floor, and residential quarters for health officers on the first floor. These centres will provide excellent healthcare services to rural residents, he said.“With the aim of developing health infrastructure in rural areas, the PM-ABHIM scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 15th Finance Commission plan approved funding for new AB-HWCs in almost all taluks of the Dakshina Kannada district. These centres will help provide essential healthcare services to villages lacking primary health centres,” the MP said.Locations for HWCs in Bantwal Assembly constituency include Badaga Belluru, Ananthadi, Amtadi, Sarapadi, Devasya Paduru, Moodupadukodi, Veerakamba, Mangila Padu, Gadiyar, Balthila, Amtur, Panemangaluru, Polali, Uli, Shambhuru, Suribailu, Kolnadu, Kulalu, Kuriyal, Kalige, Kavalakatte and Karpe.