Physiotherapy Centre at Malappuram's Vattamkulam stuck awaiting health department clearance

Edappal: The building has been made ready, equipment and furniture arranged, and even a physiotherapist appointed. But the much-anticipated Physiotherapy Centre at Vattamkulam is yet to begin operations. The delay, according to the panchayat authority, stems from the lack of formal approval from the Health Department citing technical reasons.

The key hurdle lies in the requirement that projects initiated by local bodies must first receive clearance from the Health Department. The Vattamkulam panchayat, aiming to offer physiotherapy services free of cost to the public, services that are often expensive in the private sector, had set up the centre in an old building.

The panchayat has not only arranged all the necessary infrastructure and staff for the facility but has also committed to funding salaries and other running expenses. Despite repeated representations to the concerned authorities, the required permission is yet to be granted. Applications have now been submitted to the Health Minister, local MLA, the Director of the Health Department and the District Medical Officer and a response is awaited.

Currently, around 150 people within the panchayat limits require physiotherapy services. Of them, 67 are already seeking treatment at private centres, where costs can reach up to Rs.1,000 per session.