AT A time when governance is increasingly being measured by its compassion and inclusivity, the Sai-led Government has placed the welfare of senior citizens firmly at the centre of its development agenda. Over the past two years, the State has witnessed the launch of numerous schemes aimed at strengthening health care, education, electricity, drinking water, roads, rural livelihoods, women’s empowerment, farmers’ welfare and youth development. These initiatives are now translating into tangible bene fits, especially for those who need them the most. Among the most significant of these people-oriented efforts is the State’s first Geriatric Health Care Centre, which was inaugu rated around two-and-a-half months ago at the District Elderly citizens at geriatric health centre. Hospital complex in Baikunthpur of Koriya district.

  

Established specifically to address age-related challenges such as chronic pain, reduced mobility and the hardship elderly patients face while standing in long queues or waiting hours for minor treatments, the centre has rapidly evolved into a pillar of support for senior citizens. Today, it stands as a trusted destination of care and relief for hundreds of elderly residents across the district. District Collector Chandan Tripathi stated that the centre was opened on the instructions of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and under the guidance of Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal. She emphasised that good governance acquires real meaning only when its benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly. The geriatric centre, she noted, is successfully fulfilling this pur pose and has become immensely useful for senior citizens.

 

The centre was inaugurated by Baikunthpur MLA Bhaiya Lal Rajwade on October 1, observed as the International Day of Older Persons. Since its launch in October, as many as 889 elderly patients have visited the centre for health check-ups and treatment, including 371 women and 518 men, reflecting the growing trust and acceptance of the facility among the elderly population. The geriatric health care centre is well-equipped with advanced and specialised facilities designed to cater to the physical needs of senior citizens. These include tricycles, balance boards, foot massagers, parallel bars, stair-climbing machines, tread mills, massage chairs, traction machines and wax bath units.

 

In addition, the centre offers physiotherapy and Panchakarma treatments, with nearly 300 elderly patients having benefited from Panchakarma therapy so far. With the establishment of this centre, elderly residents no longer need to travel outside the district for specialised treatment. The serene environment, empa thetic staff and prompt medical services have restored a sense of confidence, comfort and digni ty among senior citizens. Seventy-seven-year-old S D Singh said he has been visiting the centre for the past month and has experienced significant relief from the treatment pro vided. He also appreciated the supportive and peaceful atmosphere, which he said contributes greatly to mental well-being.

 

Seventy-one-year-old P S Davde shared that he had been suffering from a persistent burning sensation in his feet. After undergoing treatment for about 10 to 12 days, he reported a noticeable improvement in his condition. Similarly, seventy-six-year-old B L Soni, who had long been troubled by shoulder pain, said that on the advice of doc tors he began physiotherapy at the centre, following which his pain reduced considerably. The elderly beneficiaries have widely praised the services of the geriatric centre and the sensitivity shown by the administration. They remarked that only a government that genuinely understands the hardships of old age and takes thoughtful steps to address them can claim true good governance.

 

The Geriatric Health Care Centre at Baikunthpur has thus emerged as a vital support system for senior citizens struggling with age-related health issues. This compassionate administrative initiative has set an inspiring benchmark for Koriya district and the State as a whole.