Ghaziabad: In a first for Khoda, a govt polyclinic-cum-primary health centre was inaugurated on Thursday by cabinet minister Sunil Sharma. The centre will be managed by the Ghaziabad health department and is expected to cater to nearly 10 lakh people.The facility was constructed at a cost of Rs 4 crore. The polyclinic, which functioned earlier as an urban primary health centre, has now been upgraded into a more comprehensive govt health facility. Previously, the centre offered only limited outpatient services and basic care.Officials said the facility now will be offering a range of services, including OPD and IPD care, diagnostic tests, TB screening, ECG, and health ATM-based eye and ear check-ups. Health ATMs are AI-powered self-service kiosks that are designed for rapid screenings and basic consultations.Maternal and child health care services, vaccinations, rabies treatment for dog bites, and gynaecological care, including childbirth, will also be available.The centre is expected to ease the burden on the govt hospitals in the district. Officials said plans are underway to expand the services, with blood cancer screening and addition of specialists, including paediatric and maternal health experts.“Earlier, patients from Khoda and nearby areas had to travel to MMG Hospital or the govt hospital in Sanjay Nagar for even basic treatment, which often caused delays and inconvenience. With this new facility, a large number of residents will get timely medical attention closer to their homes,” Ghaziabad’s deputy CMO RK Gupta said. “At present, the facility will start operations with 10 beds, but once it receives formal approval from state govt, the capacity will be expanded.”
