BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 17th June 2025: In a significant leap forward for rural healthcare, Kakraban Community Health Centre (CHC) has shattered the traditional “office hour” mentality by extending its laboratory services from 9 AM to a remarkable 8 PM. This initiative, driven by Rogi Kalyan Samiti, aims to make essential diagnostic services accessible beyond conventional working hours, especially crucial in remote areas. In this regard, MOIC of Kakraban CHC today notified the decision.
“Health services are not meant for office hours; they are about 24 hours,” Dr. Majumder emphasized. While round-the-clock lab services may be a distant dream in many rural settings, Kakraban CHC’s commitment to an extended schedule is a beacon of hope. This crucial decision, made by the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, will particularly benefit patients who previously faced long waits for reports, often necessitating referrals to higher institutions or prolonged hospital stays.
Local MLA Abhishek Debroy has expressed happiness about the decision of Kakraban Hospital, which is his hometown hospital, opining through his social media handle. This transformative project, estimated to cost Rs. 5 lakh annually, is being funded through a collaborative effort utilizing resources from RKS, ABPMJAY, and the 15th Finance Commission. Kakraban CHC’s innovative step is set to significantly improve patient care and reduce the burden on higher health facilities, proving that dedicated effort can bring quality healthcare closer to rural communities.
“A report within just one or two hours will help us release patients much quicker,” Dr. Majumder explained, highlighting the critical role of timely diagnostics in patient management, especially under the ABPMJAY scheme’s 72-hour patient stay limit for CHCs and PHCs.
The expanded services include vital tests such as Haemoglobin, blood sugar, Hepatitis B & C, HIV, Malaria, Typhoid, and TB, all facilitated by the CHC’s newly acquired auto analyser.