CM Stalin Inaugurates 208 New Urban Wellness Centres and 50 Primary Health Centres Worth ₹112 Crores Across Tamil Nadu

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin today inaugurated 208 newly established Urban Wellness Centres built at a cost of ₹52 crore and 50 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) constructed at ₹60 crore. The inauguration took place during a health and public welfare programme held in Vellore, Alathur, and Thoothukudi districts.

The initiative is part of the Tamil Nadu government’s continued efforts to provide accessible and high-quality healthcare. These new facilities aim to bring primary and preventive healthcare closer to urban populations, especially in underserved areas.

Strengthening Urban Healthcare Infrastructure

In alignment with the government’s policy laid out in GO No.110 dated May 7, 2022, Chief Minister Stalin had earlier announced the establishment of 708 new Urban Wellness Centres in 21 corporations and 63 municipalities with an estimated budget of ₹177 crore. In the first phase, 500 centres were constructed at ₹125 crore and inaugurated on June 6, 2023. These centres have since been providing effective healthcare services.

Now, under the second phase, 208 more Urban Wellness Centres have been added, each built at ₹25 lakh. These centres will serve as decentralised hubs offering essential health services near people’s residences.

Each centre will have one doctor, a nurse, a health inspector, and a support staff member. These health workers will serve 20,000–25,000 people per centre in two shifts: 8 AM to 12 Noon and 4 PM to 8 PM. The initiative is part of the “Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam” (Healthcare at Your Doorstep) and “Innu Uyir Kaapom – 48” programmes that aim to enhance public health and prevent lifestyle diseases.

Comprehensive Services for Urban Communities

The newly inaugurated wellness centres will offer 12 types of essential medical services, including:

• Maternal and child health services
• Adolescent and reproductive health
• Family planning and immunisation
• Management of communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Eye, ear, nose, throat, dental, and geriatric care
• Palliative and mental health support

These services will especially benefit urban poor, women, and marginalized groups, ensuring equitable healthcare access without any financial burden.

The centres will also be digitally integrated through e-Sanjeevani, enabling referral and teleconsultation services with specialists at higher healthcare institutions.

50 New Primary Health Centres Opened

Alongside the Urban Wellness Centres, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 50 new Primary Health Centres across Tamil Nadu. These centres are located in districts including Ariyalur, Dindigul, Kanchipuram, Perambalur, Vellore, Cuddalore, Chennai, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Tiruvarur, Erode, Krishnagiri, Tiruppur, Viluppuram, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Nilgiris, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, and more.

The PHCs will provide both outpatient and inpatient care, delivery and postnatal services, immunisation, disease prevention, diagnostic facilities, and implementation of national health programmes like NTEP, NLEP, NPCDCS, NVBDCP, NACP, among others.

A Model for India

These health initiatives reflect the Tamil Nadu government’s commitment to universal healthcare access. The Urban Wellness Centres will act as nodal points replacing existing PHCs in cities, ensuring comprehensive care closer to homes and reducing the pressure on government hospitals and medical colleges.

By establishing strong public health infrastructure and ensuring citizens’ right to health, Tamil Nadu is setting an example for the rest of the country in affordable and accessible healthcare delivery.

Dignitaries Present

Present at the event were:

• Health Minister Ma. Subramanian
• Mayor R. Priya (Greater Chennai Corporation)
• MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi
• MLA J.M.H. Ameerullah
• Senior IAS officers and Directors from the Department of Public Health, Medical Education, and Preventive Medicine.

These newly launched centres mark a significant step in bridging the healthcare gap in urban areas, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey towards a healthier Tamil Nadu.