The Chennai Corporation is set to establish a medical college.
The government has asked it to begin the process of certification required for establishing a college, attached to the Communicable Diseases Hospital, Tondiarpet.
The hospital, built in 1914, has already contributed significantly to public health. Its smallpox virus laboratory had attracted research scholars from across the world. In the 1950s, the hospital played an important role in assisting the University of California in developing a more effective vaccine against smallpox.
The 350-bed hospital in a 14-acre area was modernised a few years ago by the Corporation. At least 400 patients visit the hospital every day. “Congested north Chennai has only one medical college. This institution will add to the medical services offered to the poor in Chennai and neighbouring States,” said an official associated with the project.
Municipal Corporations in Surat, Ahmedabad and Mumbai have already established medical colleges to improve research and higher education in public health.
A similar model is likely to be adopted for the medical college in Tondiarpet. The civic body has begun the process of getting approval under the guidelines of the Medical Council of India.