Minister lays foundation stone for ₹6-crore PHC at Roddam

Minister for Backward Classes Welfare S. Savitha addressing a meeting after laying foundation stone for new PHC building at Roddam in Sri Sathya Sai district on Saturday. | Photo Credit: ARRANGEMENT Minister for Backward Classes Welfare S. Savitha, along with Hindupur MP B.K. Parthasarathi and Sri Sathya Sai district Collector A Shyam Prasad, laid the foundation stone for a primary health centre (PHC) at Roddam mandal headquarters. The new PHC will be built at a cost of ₹6 crore, funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).The proposed facility is expected to serve nearly 35,000 people and strengthen healthcare services across nine sub-centres in the Palasamudram area.Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Savitha said that the existing PHC building, constructed nearly 50 years ago, had become inadequate and needed to be replaced. She said that sustained efforts over the past one-and-a-half years helped secure the CSR funding and expressed confidence that the new facility would be completed within six months. “The centre will be equipped with diagnostic services such as ECG, X-ray and blood sample collection facilities, besides dedicated maternal healthcare services,” the Minister said.Collector Shyam Prasad said that primary health centres play a crucial role in preventive healthcare, maternal care and immunisation programmes. He asked the public to utilise government healthcare services, including free medicines and laboratory tests, and advised them against depending on unqualified medical practitioners.Later, the Minister and Collector inspected the Zilla Parishad High School at Turukulapatnam in Roddam mandal. During the visit, they inspected the classrooms, kitchen, and the hostel facilities. Ms. Savitha expressed concern over the quality and size of eggs supplied to students and questioned the absence of a weighing machine on the premises. She instructed officials to rectify deficiencies immediately and ensure prescribed standards in nutrition, hygiene, and student welfare were maintained. Published - July 18, 2026 06:35 pm IST