Mysuru: In a major boost to healthcare access for tribal communities living along the borders of the BRT Tiger Reserve and the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the Hanur Town Primary Health Centre (PHC) will be upgraded into a 50-bedded taluk hospital. In addition, the state govt has sanctioned new PHCs for Gopinatham and Odeyarapalya, while the PG Palya PHC has been upgraded to a Community Health Centre (CHC). Health authorities have already begun preparatory work for these projects.This fulfils a long-pending demand of residents of Hanur taluk, much of which falls within the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Development in this backward yet ecologically rich region of Chamarajanagar district had lagged for nearly two decades due to security concerns linked to the late forest brigand Veerappan and other factors. Chief minister Siddaramaiah had announced the upgradation of the Hanur PHC into a 50-bed hospital during a special cabinet meeting held atop MM Hills last year. The state health department has now granted administrative approval for the project.Although Hanur was accorded taluk status a decade ago, the town hospital had not been upgraded despite sustained efforts by former MLAs Parimala Nagappa and R Narendra. The current MLA, MR Manjunatha, had also pressed for additional hospitals in the region. The govt has now approved the establishment of new PHCs at Gopinatham and Odeyarapalya, and upgraded PG Palya to a CHC, considering that these areas lie deep within the forests of the BRT, MM Hills, and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.“The move has brought significant relief to residents and tribal communities in Gopinatham and Odeyarapalya, who earlier had to travel between 50 and 150 km to Kollegal, Chamarajanagar, or Mysuru for medical treatment, even during emergencies,” said Madegowda, vice-president of the Chamarajanagar Soliga Tribal Welfare Association.District health officer Dr Chidambar said that following administrative approval, the department will soon float tenders for construction of hospital buildings, procurement of medical equipment, and deployment of the required medical and support staff.
