Health Minister C. Vijaya Basker made a surprise visit to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here on Friday and made enquiries with patients at the paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology (OG), urology and neurology wards.
Mr. Basker enquired with the authorities about pending projects such as Reproductive and Child Health Centre (RCH) and Regional Cancer Centre (RCC). He directed the Public Works Department (PWD) officials to begin work on demolition of old buildings near the OG ward to make way for RCH.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Basker said the GRH was facing a shortage of staff nurse and anaesthetists. He had directed Dean B. Santha Kumar to convene a meeting to educate the staff and patients on the facilities available for obtaining smart cards at the hospital and on the availability of free baby care kits offered by the government to mothers of newborns.
He discussed with senior doctors and staff nurses the ways to reduce maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) at the GRH.
Speaking to The Hindu , C. Vijaya Basker claimed that the MMR in Tamil Nadu stood at 71 per one lakh patients and IMR at 21 per thousand patients, the lowest in the country. The World Health Organisation had appreciated the State for its efforts in keeping it low, he pointed out.
Talking of revenue generated through Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, he said government hospitals in the State had accrued around Rs.580 crore so far. During the previous government rule, the hospitals had hardly earned Rs.12.5 crore, he said.
The State government was keen on organ transplantation. A separate cell for the same would be set up soon for the benefit of government hospitals in the State, he said.
To a representation made by the PWD officials for more funds towards maintenance and renovation works, the Minister said he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister.
S. Vadivel Murugan, Medical Superintendent, GRH, S. Senthilkumar, Deputy Director of Health Services, and J. Suguna, Designated Officer for Food Safety, were present.
