In the tribal village of Potali in Kuakonda block, Dantewada district, a long-abandoned primary health facility has been restored under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre programme. The facility, originally constructed in 2004 and 2005 by the National Mineral Development Corporation, remained unused for two decades due to local conflict and insurgency.
The absence of a functioning health centre meant that residents had no access to primary healthcare within the village, and medical services were previously available only at distant locations.
The renovated Sub Health Centre reopened in January 2025. It is now a six-bed facility staffed with one community health officer, three rural health officers, and 26 community health volunteers. The centre has begun offering outpatient care, basic primary health services, and preventive care to local residents.
In its first nine months of operation, nearly 2,500 outpatient visits were recorded, marking a significant improvement in healthcare access for the community.
The restoration of the centre was supported by the World Health Organization through the Universal Health Coverage Partnership. The project highlights the coordination between local authorities, health officials, and the community in overcoming long-standing challenges posed by conflict and remote geography.
By providing essential health services within the village, the facility has reduced the need for residents to travel long distances for medical care. The reopening of the Sub Health Centre demonstrates the resilience of local communities and authorities in restoring critical healthcare infrastructure in a conflict-affected tribal region.
