Ranchi, Feb. 12: Slum-dwellers and those living in the remote parts of the capital have a reason to be happy as the health department has decided to revive the urban health project.

Official sources said the project aims at making health services available to this section of the society. This particular section does not have access to various facilities offered by the health department to set up “health posts” at community health centres.

To begin with, the department has decided to set up such posts in 10 of the 37 wards in Ranchi in association with the Basti Vikas Manch, a community- based organisation (CBO). Officials said the wards will be gradually covered by the project.

Under the scheme, two government doctors, two health workers and five nutritionists will be available in these centres once a week from 10 am to 2 pm. They will offer health services free of cost.

“People living in the surrounding areas can visit the posts for check up. However, the focus will be on immunisation of children as the percentage of immunisation is very low in the state. Many diseases can be prevented if the rate of immunisation improves. The post will also provide referral facilities,” sources added. The 10 places where these posts will be set up in the first phase include Bargain, Edalhatu, Bermad, Hatia, Lower Chutia, Harmu Basti, Jagannathpur, Karamtoli, Hatma Basti and Garihotwar.

Health secretary P.P. Sharma visited the Bargain Centre, where the post has become operational to monitor the progress of the scheme.

The team of doctors and health workers has started visiting other centres as well. Basti Vikas Manch co-ordinator Khushnuma Rehman said these posts will operate in the community health centres, built by the District Urban and Development Authority (Duda) in 1999.