Work on the three-storeyed block at Tripunithura Taluk Hospital remains stalled
Nearly 3,000 patients use its outpatient facilities, but posts for specialists in ENT and ophthalmology remain vacant. Former MLA K Babu has allotted Rs 3.5 crore for the hospital’s development, while Joy said he would provide MLA funds and Eden has promised financial assistance. “A Rs 32-lakh solar panel unit installed around 12 years ago had not generated any electricity.
Because of delays, inconveniencing hundreds of patients who visit the hospital daily, kochi : Construction of the Rs 8-crore, three-storeyed block at Tripunithura Taluk Hospital has stalled after Nabard funds lapsed.
Only four doctors are available to manage casualty services against the required six,” a senior official with the hospital said. MLA Deepak Joy said he has raised the issues with health minister K Muraleedharan and sought the creation of a forensic surgeon’s post. He said govt would take proactive steps to fill other vacancies. “Given the unavailability of forensic surgeons, it is very difficult for govt to create the post of a forensic surgeon in the hospital,” the MLA added. Joy said efforts have begun to complete the new block. Hospital management committee member C Vinod said facilities provided through corporate social responsibility funds and govt schemes remain unused. Of the hospital’s two water connections, one is dilapidated, posing a risk of drainage water entering the tank through leaks,” he said.
The hospital also faces a severe staff shortage and lacks essential services. “The posts had remained vacant after doctors were transferred. A patient is being shifted to the ward through a waterlogged courtyard exposing the lack of proper facilities in Tripunitura Taluk Hospital An unusable ambulance is parked in front of the mortuary, while other equipment and infrastructure are also in poor condition. With Nabard funds having lapsed, alternative funding would be required.
