The Government Hospital for infectious diseases, which was opened at Thoppur near here by the late Chief Minister K. Kamaraj in 1960, is proposing to go for quality certification from the International Standards Organisation (ISO).
A few years ago, the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine attached to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here, was virtually in isolation due to lack of adequate funds even as it treated several infected patients in its isolated wards.
Now, the 115-acre campus is equipped with basic facilities such as water, transportation, modern toilets and a recreation centre that has a library and facility for indoor games.
A modern kitchen was inaugurated by B. Santha Kumar, GRH Dean, in the Thoppur hospital on Friday.
The total sanctioned bed strength of tuberculosis ward is 207, cholera ward is 28, and infectious diseases ward is 50.
Equipped with facilitiesWhen contacted, S. Vadivel Murugan, Medical Superintendent, GRH, said on Saturday that there is a proposal to apply for ISO certification, for the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Thoppur, which has adequate infrastructure and facilities now.
“The hospital must commit itself to upgrade the facilities and keep it in proper state. For this reason, we are going for quality certification, since the ISO conducts audit every year and the onus will be on the hospital management to keep them in good condition in order to retain the tag,” he added.
According to GRH authorities, ISO certification process for hospitals involves criteria which include quality medical care at affordable rate, sound physical infrastructure, safe and pleasant environment and technical competence of staff.
The board first goes through the hospital's infrastructure and services, skills and training of doctors and other employees of the hospital and their roles and responsibilities.
Only then will the ISO certification granted to the hospital.
