The Kochi Corporation is set to shift its Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs) functioning out of rented premises to its own buildings in a bid to reduce operational expenses, particularly rent.

Of the existing 35 UHWCs, around 20 operate from Corporation-owned facilities, while the rest incur considerable rental costs. With the Fifteenth Finance Commission, under which the centres were allotted and continue to receive annual funding, drawing to a close this year, and the uncertainty over the continuation of such funding, the Corporation is keen to pare down expenses. In 2022, the Centre had sanctioned 67 UHWCs for Ernakulam district, including 38 within Corporation limits.

“Several of our centres continue to function from rented buildings, with monthly rent ranging between ₹30,000 and ₹40,000. It would be worthwhile even if we purchase a few cents of land to house these centres,” said Mayor V.K. Minimol. Of the 38 centres within Corporation limits, two - Vytilla Janatha and Kaloor private bus stand - were opened shortly after the United Democratic Front-led governing committee assumed office.

“In fact, the inauguration of the remaining five centres was part of our 21 priority projects for the first 50 days. Of these, three - Ayyappankkavu, Chakkaraparambu, and Ernakulam North - have been completed but could not be inaugurated as the model code of conduct kicked in ahead of the Assembly election. They will be opened shortly,” Ms. Minimol added.

In the initial year, the Union government allocated ₹41 lakh through the Corporation for setting up the centres, while another ₹7 lakh was disbursed directly to the Kerala Medical Services Corporation for medicines and equipment. In subsequent years, an additional ₹22 lakh was allotted towards operational expenses, with the National Urban Health Mission handling human resources and medicinal requirements. Each centre has a medical officer, two nurses, a pharmacist, and a cleaning worker. Outpatient services function from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Plans are also under way to improve public access to UHWCs and Urban Primary Health Centres by rationalising their distribution and avoiding clustering, in line with the reorganisation and addition of two divisions following delimitation. At present, centres assigned to certain divisions are located in far-off areas due to changes in division boundaries and numbering.