No action has been yet on the plea by the residents of Virugambakkam Residents’ Welfare Association to upgrade the Corporation Welfare Centre in Natesa Nagar into a full-fledged hospital.
At a public consultation meeting in June, the Association submitted a petition in this regard to the Chennai Corporation Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy.
The petition has been put on hold for the time being, much to the dismay of the residents. “Several petitions were submitted to the health department officials, but no action has been taken. We are told that the project has been put on hold,” said a resident. The Corporation Welfare Centre is a lifeline to less-privileged people looking for free health care. Started in 1992, the Welfare Centre occupies a space of 2, 580 square feet. Close to 15,000 sq. ft lies vacant.
“There is no government hospital in the vicinity. In case of a medical emergency, people have to rush the patient to the Government Kilpauk Medical College or Government Royapettah Hospital,” a resident said. The Centre is open to the public only from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Though the Centre houses the Department of Maternal and Child Health, it offers only pre-natal and post-natal care. “Pregnant women are referred to Shenoy Nagar Corporation Maternity Hospital for delivery,” said another resident of Illango Nagar. Health officials in the Corporation said they would inspect the welfare centre.
