Flood threat to MCH Centre in Mancherial persists, recurring problem back in the spotlight

Every time the Godavari rises at Mancherial, the Government Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centre situated near the river banks in the town faces flood threat, necessitating shifting of patients at the State-run centre to the nearby hospitals.

On July 14, 2022, when the Godavari swelled to unprecedented levels, over 100 pregnant women, newborns and mothers at the MCH Centre were shifted to various hospitals in the town after the floodwaters encircled the compound wall of the building.

The incident happened barely a couple of months after the inauguration of the MCH Centre.

It sparked public outcry over the ‘ill-conceived’ site selection for the MCH centre, constructed just 300 metres from the river bed.

On Thursday (August 28), around 179 pregnant women, new mothers and newborns were shifted to the Government General Hospital and several private hospitals after the Godavari witnessed heavy inflows from the upstream dams due to heavy rains in the river’s catchment areas over the past few days.

As the MCH centre continues to face recurring flood threat during the monsoon season, the demand for a permanent solution to the problem to end the ordeals of pregnant women is getting louder.

Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamshi Krishna along with Mancherial Collector Kumar Deepak visited the MCH Centre and its surrounding areas along the river course on Friday.

According to official sources, the MP asked the officials concerned to ensure speedy completion of the under construction new building of the Government General Hospital so as to shift the MCH Centre to the new premises in the district headquarters town.