Patient care is all set to improve at the Peroorkada district hospital with the completion of a super-speciality block.
The block has been constructed with funds to the tune of Rs.11 crore from the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
“The construction of the ground floor and first floor is nearing completion. The block will house super speciality surgery unit, 24-hour emergency service, cardio thoracic surgical unit, neurology department and dialysis unit. Some of the existing beds in the hospital will be moved once the new building comes up,” secretary of district panchayat K. Chandrasekhar told The Hindu . The administrative control of the hospital has been transferred to the district panchayat a few years ago.
There were also plans to provide the hospital more blocks to increase its bed capacity to 600 from the existing in-patient facility of 337 beds. Mr. Chandrasekhar said. The panchayat had requested the Department of Health and Family Welfare to expedite the second phase of the development programme.
People from areas such as Nedumangadu, Vithura, and Palode areas largely depend on the century-old hospital, which has been facing several inadequacies ranging from lack of space, proper health care facilities, and shortage of staff. On an average, 1,200 people visit the hospital, according to Mannanmula Rajan, member of the hospital management committee.
At times, the hospital rooms get so crammed that the patients have to stand in the open to get treated in the out-patient units.
With the new effort to construct new blocks and fill up of vacancies, patient care would sure improve though other issues related to dumping of garbage and stray dog menace would remain unattended, Mr. Rajan said.
The waste generated from the Peroorkada market, situated close to the hospital, is dumped in areas close to the male ward. The garbage piles brought in stray dogs on the premises, spreading fear among patients, their attendants and staff, said a staff in the hospital.
There were also instances when people were chased by these dogs, the staff added.