The newly-built Reproductive Mother and Child Health Care building at K.A.P. Viswanatham Medical College Hospital is awaiting inauguration. The building, constructed at a cost of ₹20 crore, has 298 beds specifically to offer services on reproductive health care. It has taken the number of beds to about 1700.
Reproductive Health Care is said to be the first of its kind in this part of the region in government hospitals. It is aimed at offering exclusive services on breast health care, women health care, reproductive health issues, pre and post pregnancy issues, hormonal conditions, ovarian issues, infertility and others.
It was one of the major infrastructural projects taken up at the hospital, which receives about 6,000 patients a day from different parts of Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Karur. The construction of the building, which was started about four years ago, is already over.
About three months have passed since it was declared ready for opening. Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar had also recently visited the building and inspected the facilities provided for the mother and child health care. However, it is yet to be inaugurated.
It is learnt that it was originally planned to open the building by the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa through video conferencing. However, the plan was subsequently dropped due to her hospitalisation and sudden demise. Similarly, the subsequent transition of power in the State and the later political developments in the State were said to have further delayed the opening of the building.
In addition to it, there were issues of creating posts of doctors, nurses and other para medical staff.
When contacted, Marry Lilly, Dean, told The Hindu that there was a need to appoint medical personnel for the department.
A proposal had been sent to the government to create and appoint adequate personnel.
Similarly, she had discussed with the senior officials of the department on establishing equipment and testing facilities at the new building.
