During a recent visit to the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine, Tambaram, C. Vijaya Baskar, State Minister for Health, announced that a amount of ₹ 8 crore will be spent on developing infrastructure at the hospital.
Planting a few saplings on the premises, he inaugurated the work relating to the redesign of internal rooms and halls at the hospital.
The work was carried out under the supervision of a team of officials from Thoppur in Madurai district.
Under the scheme, the wards and waiting halls would be spruced up.
The waiting halls would have a ‘green look’ as in a few private hospitals. In addition to the existing facility, TV and FM radion facilities will be provided.
An official of the Health Department said, “The State government is keen on eradicating tubercilousis by 2025 and with efforts taken by our doctors and other staff, the project is expected to be completed before the deadline.” Identification, medication and follow-up would be the features of the TB eradication programme. Patients undergoing treatment under the State government’s TB eradication programme are paid ₹500 per month.
“NGOs and doctors from private hospitals have been enrolled in the programme and the role of field workers is important in the process. We have asked pharmacists not to sell medicines without the prescription of doctors and asked them to inform Health Department officials if anyone asks for TB medicines,” he added.
K Sridhar, superintendent of the hospital; S. Kumar, resident medical officer of the hospital; and C. Rajendran, former MP, were present on the occasion.