Villagers from Arumanallur under Thovalai taluk have petitioned at the grievance redressal meeting held at the Collectorate on Monday, seeking the reopening of the primary health centre (PHC) in their village that was closed a few months ago.

Their petition said the PHC had been serving the village for almost 35 years but was relocated to a nearby Primary Health Sub Centre (PHSC) due to a fire accident at the PHC. They attributed the fire to a short circuit in the Ice-Lined Refrigerator (ILR) at the facility.

Mary Mettil Flower from Arumanallur said the PHC had benefited around 18 hamlets in and around the village. The PHC’s relocation had inconvenienced residents due to lack of amenities. The fire at the PHC was minor and could have been resolved soon, but the authorities were delaying the restoration process.

“The village has both primary and higher secondary schools. Even for minor accidents, students were taken to the PHC. However, the relocated facility lacks essential infrastructure ,” she said.

Also, residents of nearby villagers relied on the PHC for childbirth and, hence, the authorities must restore the old building and reopen it for public use, she added..

District Health officer V. Prabhakaran told The Hindu that the PHC building was old and in a deteriorated state. A proposal for its maintenance and renovation had been sent to the government. The department would ensure facilities at the relocated PHC while working toward the reopening of the old PHC.

Domestic violence

In a separate incident, T. Adlin Jameela from Manavalakurichi arrived by ambulance to submit a petition.

In her complaint, she alleged that she had been subjected to domestic violence by her husband and in-laws over dowry and urged officials to take action against them based on the CSR registered at Colachel All Women Police Station.