In an attempt to provide better facilities for patients at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Legend has undertaken the repair work of the hospital’s orthopaedic ward.
In the first phase of the project titled ‘Sudh-Arog’, repair and painting work of the ward’s first floor was completed. Forty beds, pillows and bedspreads were provided on Wednesday as part of the initiative.
President of the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Legend K.S. Uma Sankar said the project worth Rs.15 lakh would be completed in four phases in three months. The first phase of the work, which cost Rs.3 lakh, was completed in two weeks. The three-storey building of the ward has 120 beds. “While the Government focused on providing free treatment for patients, the maintenance and hygiene aspects are poor,” Mr. Sankar said.
The hospital authorities said the fund for maintenance and repair works and the number of sanitary workers were inadequate. “We took up the project when the dilapidated condition of the building and the lack of hygiene that inconvenienced patients were brought to our attention,” Mr. Sankar said.
According to hospital authorities, the hospital was overcrowded at any point of time. The number of beds allotted for in-patients by the Government was 1,020, whereas the inflow was always 30 per cent more. The number of outpatients ranged from 4,000 to 6,000 a day. The fund allotted for maintenance had to be divided among all the wards. Though there was adequate staff in other departments, the number of sanitary workers remained the same since the inception of the hospital, while the number of patients had increased. The hospital authorities said they would request the Government to appoint more people to carry out cleaning and maintenance work. They added that the hospital buildings would soon be renovated by the Government.
Mr. Uma Shankar said that the Club would appoint three full-time sanitary workers for the ward. The Club would also conduct awareness programmes on health and hygiene for patients, their attenders and visitors.
Resident Medical Officer of the hospital P. Sivaprakasam, Secretary of the Club S. Nivas and Project Chairman S. Venkatesh, were present during the inauguration of the improved facilities.
