A ‘surprise' inspection by the Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Kancheepuram constituency, V.Somasundaram, at the Government District Headquarters Hospital here on Monday seems to have increased the level of anticipation among the general public to avail themselves of better treatment as well as better ambience in the in-patients wards.
Problems galore
The hospital was plagued with persisting problems such as shortage of doctors, paramedics and other hands as well as poor sanitation and infrastructural facilities though repeated pleas were made and memorandums submitted by the previous MLA, Sakthi Kamalammal of Pattali Makkal Katchi, to the State Health Department.
A benevolent contribution from Hyundai Motor India Limited through its corporate social responsibility programme to renovate the hospital a few years ago had reportedly brought in some change in the visual appearance but not solutions to the persistent problems.
Left high and dry
Patients in most wards, particularly in the labour ward, were left high and dry during both summer and winter seasons in the absence of ceiling fans as they had to combat humidity during summer and mosquito menace during winter seasons.
While some of them, affluent enough to avail themselves of the comfort of table fans, had brought the same to the wards, others chose to rely on plastic hand-fans to control the humidity level around their new born kids during summer and ward off mosquitoes during winter.
Minister's assurance
On hearing their pleas for better facilities at the labour ward, the MLA, Somasundaram assured them that their grievances would be redressed soon and measures would be taken to make the hospital the best one in the region.
