The alleged lack of commitment among doctors and the absence of critical facilities such as sample collection continue to affect the functioning of Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs) within Kochi Corporation limits.
The newly elected councillors highlighted these deficiencies in the functioning of UHWCs during a training session of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) held earlier this month. NUHM has acknowledged the shortcomings and assured that they will be addressed in the coming weeks.
Priya Prashanth, councillor of the Amaravathy division, noted that sample collection was yet to begin at the UHWC in her division, which was among the first seven centres launched in the Corporation, despite assurances of such a service. The arrangement was that samples would be collected at the respective UHWC, tested at the Urban Primary Health Centre, and the results delivered through the UHWC. However, this service has not yet commenced, she said.
Ms. Prashanth also questioned the approach of the doctors and staff deployed at the UHWCs. “They are expected to be available from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. However, this schedule is often violated as their timings go unmonitored. I had raised these issues in an official communication to NUHM during the tenure of the previous council itself,” she said.
NUHM sources assured that the functioning of UHWCs would become full-fledged, including sample collection, within the next few weeks. While admitting to concerns about the commitment of doctors deployed at the UHWCs, they added that finding an immediate solution was difficult, as doctors often resign rather than respond positively to disciplinary measures.
“Junior doctors are mostly deployed at UHWCs since experienced doctors are rarely available for these posts due to the relatively low salaries compared to private hospitals. Even junior doctors are unavailable during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. In fact, we face infrastructural hurdles, including shortages of doctors and staff, which we have largely been able to overcome thanks to the support of elected representatives,” said NUHM sources.
Seena Gokulan, the newly elected chairperson of the Corporation’s health standing committee, stated that issues related to UHWCs would be discussed in the committee.
Five more UHWCs are set to be launched shortly, bringing the total number of centres within the Corporation limits to 68. This is in addition to 15 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) in the Corporation and municipal limits, as many polyclinics in these centres offering specialist services, and one Urban Community Health Centre (UCHC). Three doctors are deployed on turn at UPHCs and at the UCHC.
Published – January 17, 2026 12:35 am IST
