Ranchi: Six new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are set to become operational across the city in the first week of Sept, bringing free primary healthcare closer to residents. Another 16 centres will open in phases.A total of 47 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been sanctioned in the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) area under the 15th Finance Commission funds. While 25 centres are already operational, work is under way on the remaining 22.RMC assistant public health officer Dr Anand Shekhar Jha said officials were conducting daily site inspections to identify suitable locations. “We aim to launch at least six centres in the first week of Sept. The remaining centres will be opened soon after,” he said.Officials said 16 centres were currently being set up, while work on another six would begin shortly.On Friday, Union minister of state for defence and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth laid the foundation stone for a centre at Kanke’s Chauri Basti in ward 1. The facility will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 35 lakh.“The health centre will provide better and more accessible healthcare services to residents of Chauri Basti and nearby areas,” Seth said.Jha said the project involves constructing 24 buildings and renovating 23 existing structures. “Centres can be made operational quickly in areas where suitable buildings are available, after necessary repairs and renovation,” he added.Earlier this month, municipal commissioner Sushant Gaurav directed officials to prioritise wards where community buildings could be converted into health centres by providing basic infrastructure and branding.He also sought ward-wise reports from areas where suitable land or buildings were unavailable to speed up site acquisition. Officials have been asked to remap sites where contractors have already been selected.“The aim is to establish the centres at suitable, need-based locations so that the maximum number of residents can benefit,” Gaurav said.
