The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Medavakkam PHC to be upgraded

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Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Medavakkam PHC to be upgraded

K. Manikandan

Likely to be inaugurated in April

Contributions are from an NGO, the State government and a software firm
The facility will marginally ease burden on the Tambaram Taluk Government Hospital

— Photo: K. Manikandan.

UPCOMING FACILITY: Construction work in progress as part of upgrading the Medavakkam Primary Health Centre.

TAMBARAM: The Medavakkam Primary Health Centre (PHC) near Tambaram will be upgraded as a 30-bed hospital. Work on the new building is in progress and the facility is likely to be inaugurated by the second week of April.

Medavakkam is the main PHC of the St. Thomas Mount Block and is being upgraded with a major contribution from a non-governmental organisation, the State government and a software company. Catalyst Trust, the NGO, is constructing the main building at the cost of Rs.1.25 crore. In addition to this, it has planned to build a steam laundry at the cost of Rs.15 lakh and a few more lakhs is expected to be spent on linen and equipment, senior officials at the Directorate of Public Health told The Hindu

Administration’s allotment

The official said the Kancheepuram district administration had allotted Rs.9 lakh for constructing a compound wall.

The Directorate of Public Health has taken steps to provide the upgraded hospital with necessary equipment.

A software firm has, in principle, agreed to landscape the hospital premises.

The proposed facility would be a Basic Obstetrics and Neo Natal Care Centre (BEMONC) under the Phase-II of Reproductive and Child Health Project of the State government.

With adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff on duty round the clock, the hospital would be able to handle more cases than as a PHC.

Since it would take care of more in-patients, once upgraded, the facility is also expected to marginally ease the burden on the Tambaram Taluk Government Hospital, more popularly known as Chromepet GH.

K.Vanaja, Deputy Director of Health Services, Saidapet Health Unit District, said upgrading of the facility would be an important development, considering that the Medavakkam PHC served rural poor patients.

Institutional deliveries to increase

Upgrading the facility would make it possible to increase the number of institutional deliveries and improve medical and laboratory facilities, for which people in vilages had to travel elsewhere, Dr. Vanaja said.

The Medavakkam village panchayat too had chipped in with its support, Dr. Vanaja added.

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