Raipur. After almost 19 years, health facilities have been restored in Potali village of Aranpur-Jagargunda area of Dantewada district. The villagers of Potali have now started getting health facilities in their village itself. MLA Chaitram Atami inaugurated the fully equipped sub health center (Ayushman Arogya Mandir) renovated in Potali village with the special initiative of the government and administration. During this, a large number of villagers including the Collector and SP of Dantewada were presentIt is noteworthy that Potali Gram Panchayat is located in Aranpur-Jagargunda area of Dantewada district. This has been a highly Naxal-affected area. Due to the success of the Naxal-eradication campaign of the Chhattisgarh government, now the winds of peace and development have started blowing here, as a result of which other basic facilities including health, education, roads have started reaching here rapidly.It is said that in the year 2004-05, the village Potali Sub Health Center was constructed by NMDC. Shortly after its construction, due to Naxalite violence and Salwa Judum movement, it was completely closed and the building of the health center turned into ruins. Naxalites had written threatening messages on the walls of this building, and warned of harm to those who used this building, due to which this sub health center became completely useless.
10 security personnel were martyred in the bomb blast
The people of Potali village had to walk to the primary health center in Aranpur or Sameli village for health services. Many times, they had to walk miles even for basic medicines. This situation was extremely difficult and frustrating for the villagers. In view of the demand of the villagers and the initiative of the local public representatives, the administration again renovated it, painted it and ensured the availability of health facilities. Villagers say that during the renovation of this health center, the martyrdom of 10 security personnel in a bomb blast near Aranpur in April 2023 spread fear in the entire area, due to which contractors and workers stopped work fearing for their safety. The work was resumed by the administration by taking the villagers into confidence. But, in April 2024, a local public representative who was working actively for the restoration of health facilities in Potali was murdered by Naxalites.
Important role of Niyyad Nella Nar scheme
Despite all these obstacles, the work of reviving the Potali Health Centre did not stop. With the tireless efforts of the district administration, health department and the villagers, this work was finally completed and the Potali Health Centre has been dedicated to the people there. The Niyyad Nella Nar Yojana of the Chhattisgarh government has also played an important role in the restoration of health services in Potali. This health centre also has a six-bed ward, for the successful operation of which a team of community health officers, rural health coordinators and 26 Mitanins are present.
Now villagers will not have to wander for treatment
The villagers are very happy with the opening of the health centre in Potali. Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Lalita Mandavi said that it is a good thing that a fully equipped sub-health centre has been opened in their village. Now the villagers will not have to wander around for treatment. Dilip Kumar, a youth of the village, said that the health centre of the village was destroyed due to Naxalites. The people here had to go to Aranpur and Sameli for treatment, which is at a distance of 15 to 18 kilometres. Now people will get treatment in the village itself. Other facilities including roads are also being developed for transportation in the village.
