Sub Health Centre (SHC) Potali in the left-wing extremism (LWE)-affected aspirational block of Kuakonda in Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh, was built in 2003 but abandoned before it opened following insurgents threatening visitors to the SHC with violence. Health services were shifted to a makeshift two-room building 10 km away in Kikri Para village, and people living in the three villages SHC Potali served were forced to travel the distance to receive essential health services.
Two decades later, SHC Potali is transformed and upgraded because of strong collaboration between the district administration, health department and the community. This journey, however, was far from smooth.
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Abandoned SHC Potali with messages on the walls written by insurgents threatening people with violence if they visited the health centre (Photo: Ankit Singh/© WHO India)
In 2021, SHC Potali was chosen for upgradation as a Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) and the building was reconstructed in early 2022 with community support led by Mr Joga Ram, a former Janpad Panchayat (village council) member. WHO India was part of the district health team that engaged with the community to assess feasibility.
This progress was short-lived. On 26 April 2023, a blast that killed 10 security personnel revived fears of left-wing extremism (LWE). Fearing for their safety, the contractors refused to complete renovation and the SHC was once again abandoned. Another attempt was made to revive it in November 2023, Mr Joga Ram was killed, which temporarily halted development again.
With support from the community determined to complete the project, the district administration and health department began work again. The project was fast-tracked under Government of India’s Aspiration Block Programme and Chhattisgarh government’s Niyad Nelanar Yojna that aims to provide basic amenities to tribal villages in left-wing extremism-affected areas.
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The renovated HWC Potali opened on 1 January 2025 (Photo: Gaurav Kumar/© WHO India)
On New Year’s Day 2025, the renovated HWC Potali with a six-beds ward and a healthcare workforce comprising one community health officer, one rural health officer, and 26 ASHAs (community health volunteers, called mitanin in the state) opened its doors to 2583 residents across three villages.
“The entire village has been eagerly waiting for this health facility. Everyone has benefited, especially the women, who find it difficult to travel alone to distant health centres when their menfolk are away at work. Now we don’t have to depend on anyone, we can go for treatment ourselves,” said Ms Lalita Mandavi, village sarpanch (headperson).
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Women queuing up to receive free medicines following screening at SHC Potali (Photo: Renuka Singh/© WHO India)
“I have been posted to AAM Potali for one year, and till now, we have been providing health services from makeshift camps. The new AAM is accessible to everyone and I am happy that with support from the staff posted here, we will provide quality services,’ said Ms Ritu Kunjam, community health officer, SHC Potali.