State’s First Elderly Healthcare Centre Emerges as a Lifeline

Raipur, December 15

Elderly Healthcare Centres are specialized institutions designed to address the medical, physical and mental health needs of senior citizens. These centers provide services including regular outpatient care, special (geriatric) consultations, medication management, physiotherapy and home-based care, enabling the elderly to lead independent and comfortable lives.

*A trusted space offering relief to hundreds of senior citizens*

Under Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s leadership, the past two years have witnessed the launch of several initiatives aimed at improving health, education, electricity, water supply, roads and the well-being of rural communities, women, farmers and youth, with encouraging outcomes. As part of this broader effort, the State’s first Elderly Healthcare Centre, which started around two and a half months ago at the district hospital premises in Baikunthpur, Korea district, is emerging as a genuine support system for senior citizens.

The centre has been established keeping in view the challenges associated with ageing, including chronic pain, mobility issues, long queues in hospitals and extended waiting hours for minor treatments. As a result, it is now becoming a dependable place of relief for hundreds of elderly residents of the district.

*889 elderly patients have received consultation and treatment so far*

The centre is functioning in line with the vision of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and under the guidance of Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal. District Collector Smt. Chandan Tripathi states that good governance finds meaning only when its benefits reach those who need them the most, and this centre is serving that very purpose while proving especially beneficial for senior citizens.

Meanwhile, the centre was inaugurated on October 1, the International Day of Older Persons, by Baikunthpur MLA Shri Bhaiyalal Rajwade. Since October, 889 elderly persons have received examination and treatment here, including 371 women and 518 men.

*Centre equipped with modern facilities*

The Elderly Healthcare Centre is equipped with advanced facilities such as tricycles, balance boards, foot massagers, parallel bars, stair-climbing machines, treadmills, massage chairs, traction machines and wax bath units. Physiotherapy and Panchakarma services are also available, and nearly 300 senior citizens have already benefited from Panchakarma treatment. With the centre in place, elderly patients no longer need to travel outside the district for treatment. The calm environment, supportive staff and timely services are instilling confidence and providing much-needed relief.

*Voices of the elderly: comfort and relief restored*

77-year-old Shri SD Singh stated that he has been visiting the centre for the past one month and is experiencing significant relief from the treatment. He added that the supportive environment also brings mental peace.

71-year-old Shri PS Davde shared that he has been troubled by a burning sensation in his legs, and after 10–12 days of treatment, he is feeling considerable improvement.

76-year-old Shri BL Soni stated that he has been suffering from shoulder pain for a long time and, following medical advice, has begun physiotherapy, which is now reducing his discomfort substantially.

*A sensitive administrative approach towards senior citizens*

Senior citizens are expressing appreciation for the services and the administration’s initiative, stating that true good governance is reflected in understanding the suffering of the elderly and taking compassionate steps to address it. The centre is proving invaluable for those struggling with age-related physical ailments and is emerging as an inspiring model for both the district and the State.