ICH s cardiology department to get Rs. 25 crore-upgrade

The State government has sanctioned Rs. 25 crore to upgrade facilities at the cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology department of the Government Children’s Hospital in Egmore. The government has proposed that this be declared a ‘Centre of Excellence’, said P. Moorthy, head of the department.

The hospital, which is attached to the Institute of Child Health, is the only referral centre run by the government for paediatric cardiac ailments. “Usually the department sees 100 cases daily. Some children come with complex problems requiring specific investigations, and for this we need state-of-the art facilities,” the cardiothoracic surgeon added. He added that of every 1,000 live births, eight children have cardiac diseases.

Long waiting-list

At present, the cardiology department performs one open-heart surgery and two-closed heart surgeries every day, but there is always a long waiting list of patients.

The funds will be used to build two floors and a modular state-of-the art operation theatre. The hospital will also procure equipment worth Rs. 18 crore, including a cath lab. It has also proposed to establish an intensive care unit with 12 beds. The Health department has also sanctioned 49 new posts for cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, cath lab technicians, nurses and hospital workers, said V. Kanagasabai, Dean of Madras Medical College (MMC). The institute is affiliated to MMC.

These additional facilities will minimise the waiting list of patients. “We will do three open-heart surgeries and four-closed heart surgeries per day, when the new facilities are in place,” Dr. Kanagasabai added.