The Chief Minister practically opens sub health centers in Vellore, Ranipet

Ranipet Collector N. Priya inspects the new sub-health center virtually inaugurated by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at Perumalraj Pettai village near Arakkonam town in Ranipet on Tuesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay practically inaugurated two sub-health centers at Kammasamudiram and Perumalraj Pettai villages in Vellore and Ranipet districts on Tuesday.

Health officials said the health facilities under construction, including additional buildings and block-level health units, are undergoing final touches such as painting and testing of electrical equipment.

Accompanied by health professionals, PS Leela Alex and N. Priya, District Collectors for Vellore and Ranipet inspected the new facilities. “The new sub-health centers will help residents, especially in remote villages and tribal hamlets, to get basic health care. Expectant mothers will be monitored by staff at these centres,” K. Senthil Kumar, Deputy Director of Health Services (DDHS), Ranipet, told The Hindu.

New health centers in these villages are a long-term demand of the residents. Currently, they travel 8-10 km to Vellore or Arakkonam, the nearest towns that have a health center and a government hospital for basic health facilities.

“As Kamasamudram village lies at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills, senior citizens and women have to risk walking on rocky terrain to reach the nearest government hospital in Vellore for treatment. The new health center will end our suffering,” said K. Pari, a resident.

The new health center will have two inpatient beds, an outpatient block, a separate cabin for the village health nurse (VHN), a common visitor hall, laboratory facilities and a well-stocked pharmacy. Adequate parking for ambulances and other vehicles will also be provided. Each health center was built at an average cost of ₹ 45 lakh under the 15th Finance Commission.

Land for the new health centers was donated by the residents of these villages.

Health officials said the sub-health centers will focus on the health of expectant mothers, children, vaccination programs and other government health programs in remote villages. VHNs are also trained to treat minor illnesses such as fever and colds. The greeting will operate from 8 am to 3 pm every day except Sunday.

According to norms, a group of villages should have a population of more than 5,000 to get a new sub-health centre. It should also cover the population within a radius of at least five km. Currently, Ranipet has 197 sub health centers as against more than 300 centers in Vellore.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 23:52 IST