Health centre locked, patients treated in panchayat hall:₹4.9 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir has cracked walls, no power or water

To improve healthcare in rural areas, the government is setting up Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (sub-health centres) to provide primary treatment, vaccination, maternal care and other basic services within villages. But in Sejavta village, 5 km from Ratlam, a ₹49-lakh health centre built for a population of around 3,000 and 2,400 voters remains non-functional even four years after completion. The building meant for patients has neither electricity nor water supply. Cracks have appeared in the structure, the flooring is peeling off, the window screens are damaged, and empty liquor bottles were found on the premises. Meanwhile, health workers continue to treat villagers from the Gram Panchayat building. A ground report by Dainik Bhaskar, based on interactions with residents, public representatives and health staff, highlights the stark gap between government claims and reality. Read the full report Health centre running in Panchayat Bhawan Around 11 AM on June 12, the Bhaskar team reached the Gram Panchayat Bhawan. Villagers were sitting in the Panchayat’s meeting hall to receive treatment and medicine. Medicine boxes and posters related to vaccination and health schemes were displayed in the room. This same room has been used as a temporary health centre for many years. Villagers stated that even after the new health centre building was constructed, services could not be started, so treatment is being provided in the Panchayat Bhawan itself. People from nearby villages also come here. On that day, due to the strike of contractual health workers, staff were not present, causing people who came for treatment to return. New building not opened even after four years Villager Mohan Vyas had reached the Panchayat Bhawan for treatment. He stated that the construction of the health centre started about four years ago. Construction work continued for a long time, and now the building is ready, but it has not been opened till date. He said, The government spent about 50 lakh rupees, but the villagers are not getting its benefit. If someone falls ill at night, they have to go to Ratlam. A new building has been constructed, but it is not in use. Villagers say that if the building had started on time, people from the village and surrounding areas could have received better health facilities. Condition of new building raises questions When the Bhaskar team visited the new Ayushman Arogya Mandir on Bangrod Road, several deficiencies were found. Cracks were visible on the exterior walls, flooring near the main entrance had peeled off, window screens were broken, and empty liquor bottles and garbage littered the premises, indicating a lack of use and monitoring. The building, constructed below road level, has no proper drainage system nearby. Villagers fear the premises could get waterlogged during the first heavy rain. They also said a boundary wall was proposed for security, but only wire fencing has been installed. No electricity connection in the building Despite the construction of the building being completed in four years, there is still no electricity connection. Due to this, the health department is unable to start services there. When the Bhaskar team reached the village again on June 15, Community Health Officer (CHO) Deepshikha Johar and ANM Kavita Bhagora were found working in the Panchayat building. They were examining patients and vaccination-related work was also being conducted from there. CHO Deepshikha Johar said that she was posted here about three months ago. According to her, the new building is ready, but work cannot start there due to the lack of electricity. He informed that in this regard, the department and the concerned agency have been informed through a letter. Health services will be started in the new building after the necessary facilities are completed. 20 to 25 patients visit the health centre daily Approximately 20 to 25 patients visit the health centre operating in the Gram Panchayat building daily for treatment. These include people suffering from cold, cough, fever, blood pressure, and common ailments. Vaccination of pregnant women and other health services are also operated from here. The new building has been constructed with residential facilities so that health workers can stay there and provide better services to the villagers. However, due to the building not being operational, employees are forced to live in rented houses in the village. Whose responsibility, no one has an answer The biggest complaint of the villagers is that whenever they approach a department with a problem, the responsibility is shifted to another department. Villager Mahesh Sharma says that the Gram Panchayat calls it a matter of the Health Department, while the Health Department points to the construction agency. Amidst this tug-of-war, the villagers are deprived of facilities. He informed that the building premises have become a gathering place for alcoholics, and there is no one to look after it. 80 percent of buildings completed, 21 buildings under construction According to data from the Health Department, there are 196 sub-health centres in the district. Ayushman Arogya Mandir buildings are being constructed for most of these centres. According to departmental information, approximately 80 percent of the buildings have been completed, while 21 buildings are under construction. Between ₹49 lakh to ₹65 lakh are being spent on these buildings. Despite this, health services in many locations are being operated from old buildings, rented premises, or Panchayat buildings. Gram Panchayat Secretary Anil Kumawat said, The new building is ready, but it has not yet been formally handed over to the health department by the concerned agency. For this reason, health services are being operated in the panchayat building.