The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Plan to upgrade 2 anaesthesiology departments to institutes

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Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Plan to upgrade 2 anaesthesiology departments to institutes

Special Correspondent

“Following requests from the Madurai and Madras Medical Colleges”

MADURAI: The State Government is considering to upgrade the anaesthesiology departments in Madras Medical College and Madurai Medical College to Institutes of Anaesthesiology.

V.K. Subburaj, Health and Family Welfare Secretary, said here on Sunday that there had been requests from both the medical colleges to convert their departments into an institute. “We are considering the proposals for both Chennai and Madurai and in due course they may become Institutes of Anaesthesiology,” he said.

Participating in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Department of Anaesthesiology of Madurai Medical College/Government Rajaji Hospital (MAGA 50), he underscored the growing importance of anaesthetists in healthcare and the need to churn out more qualified anaesthetists to meet the demand.

Shortage

“There is a shortage of anaesthesiologists in India. We should take steps to start more courses and avoid shortage of anaesthetists,” Mr. Subburaj said.

According to him, the total number of seats available for anaesthesiology courses is 1,270, of which 132 were in Tamil Nadu, giving it third place in the country after Maharashtra and Karnataka. “You can’t imagine a hospital without anaesthetists. Surgeries will not be possible without them and though anaesthesiologists remain in the background, we cannot undermine their role,” the Health Secretary said.

Anaesthesia skills

Mr. Subburaj also spoke on the steps taken to impart anaesthesia skills among MBBS doctors to overcome the shortage.

Referring to the growing number of deliveries in primary health centres, he said that nearly one lakh women had delivered babies in PHCs in last 12 months, which he said, was a huge number by any standards.

A. Rajamanoharan, Professor and Head of Department of Anaesthesiology, Government Rajaji Hospital, made a presentation on the 50 years’ profile of the department. “The government can consider the institute status for us. That will encourage us to do much more in the field,” Dr. Rajamanoharan, who is the organising secretary of the conference, said.

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