Health facility restored in Potali after almost 19 years
Victory of democracy in the stronghold of Naxalites
Raipur 1 January 2025: Health facility has been restored again after almost 19 years in Potali village of Aranpur-Jagargunda area of Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. The villagers of Potali have now started getting health facility in their village itself. MLA Shri Chaitram Atami inaugurated the fully equipped sub health center (Ayushman Arogya Mandir) re-constructed in Potali village with the special initiative of the government and administration. During this, a large number of villagers including the Collector and SP of Dantewada were present.
It is worth noting that Potali Gram Panchayat is located in Aranpur-Jagargunda area of Dantewada district. This has been a Naxal-affected area. Due to the success of the Naxal eradication campaign of the Chhattisgarh government, now the wind of peace and development has started blowing here, as a result of which other basic facilities including health, education, road have started reaching here rapidly.
It is said that in the year 2004-05, the village Potali Sub Health Center was constructed by NMDC. Shortly after its construction, due to Naxalite violence and Salwa Judum movement, it was completely closed and the health center building turned into ruins. Naxalites had written threatening messages on the walls of this building, and warned of harm to those who used this building. Due to which this sub health center became completely useless. The people of Potali village had to walk to the primary health center of Aranpur or Sameli village for health services. Many times, they had to walk miles even for basic medicines. This situation was very difficult and disappointing for the villagers. In view of the demand of the villagers and the initiative of the local public representatives, the government-administration again ensured its renovation, painting and availability of health facilities. Villagers say that during the renovation of this health center, the martyrdom of 10 security personnel in a bomb blast near Aranpur in April 2023 spread fear in the entire area, due to which contractors and workers stopped work fearing for their safety. The work was resumed by the government-administration by taking the villagers into confidence. But, in April 2024, a local public representative who was working enthusiastically for the restoration of health facilities in Potali was murdered by Naxalites.
Despite all these obstacles, the work of reviving the Potali Health Center did not stop. With the tireless efforts of the district administration, health department and villagers, this work was finally completed and the Potali Health Center has been dedicated to the people there. The Niyad Nella Nar Yojana of the Chhattisgarh government has also played an important role in the restoration of health services in Potali. This health centre also has a six-bed ward facility for which a team of community health officer, rural health coordinator and 26 Mitanins are present for its successful operation. The villagers are very happy with the opening of the health centre in Potali. Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Lalita Mandavi said that it is a good thing that a fully equipped sub-health centre has been started in her village. Now the villagers will not have to wander for treatment. Village youth Dilip Kumar said that the village health centre was destroyed due to Naxalites. The people here had to go to Aranpur and Sameli for treatment, which is at a distance of 15 to 18 kilometres. Now people will get treatment in the village itself. Other facilities including roads are also being developed for transportation in the village.
