Unopened Namma Clinic at Vannarpet draws locals’ ire over pathetic situation

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government had launched 438 Namma clinics across the state and 108 under BBMP limit were opened recently in the first stage to strengthen the healthcare system. Plans are also afoot to open more Namma Clinics in second stage.

Locals alleged that the clinics have old tables and foul smell coming from the toilets.

Residents of Vannarpet in Shantinagar have now alleged that the BBMP Namma Clinic in the area, which is yet to be inaugurated, is untidy and everything messed up.

Awaiting inauguration, the Namma Clinic at Vannarpet is functioning without much facilities. There are medicines available on the shelves, but no staff have been appointed here and the beds are not maintained. Layers of dust are settled on the boxes of drugs, and the toilet stinks.

Dust settled on the medicines stored at the Vannarpet Namma Clinic.

Locals have vented their ire over the poor state of the Namma Clinic and say that the BBMP should maintain cleanliness. Moreover, no watchman has been appointed and the old building has simply been repainted. If anything untoward happens to people who visit the Namma Clinic, who will be held responsible, they questioned.

Shivakumar pointed out that cleanliness is not maintained at the Namma Clinic and bad smell emanates from the toilet.

Anil Nachappa, a local resident, said, “There is a need for a government clinic here as this is a slum area. An old table and chair have been set up at the Namma Clinic. Faded and uncleaned bedsheets cover the beds and foul smell is coming from toilet. The BBMP had painted the old building in a hurry to impress the public. If this is the condition before its opening, what will be the situation after inauguration?” he questioned.

Shivkumar criticised the government is doing it just for the sake of gaining name.

Shivakumar, another local resident, said, “There is no staff available here. No one taking the responsibility for the clinic. This building is just for namesake. Not even minimum infrastructure is provided at the Namma Clinic”.