The Hindu 20.11.2009
Master plan to renovate Coimbatore Medical College Hospital soon
Staff Reporter
| Centenary celebrations committee begins preliminary work |
Photo: M. Periasamy 
PLANNING IN PROGRESS: Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (second left) having a word with Collector P. Umanath on Thursday at a meeting organised to plan the centenary celebrations of the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. —
Coimbatore: The Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Centenary Celebrations committee has decided to evolve a master plan to modernise and renovate the hospital besides carrying out improvements.
The centenary celebrations organising committee led by Rural Industries Minister, Pongalur N. Palanisamy, Mayor R. Venkatachalam and District Collector, P. Umanath held a meeting on Thursday to seek suggestions.
The hospital opened its doors on July 14, 1909 and entered the centenary year on July 14, 2008.
The CMCH was represented by Veerakesari (Dean in-charge), Resident Medical Officer, P. Sivaprakasam and Assistant Resident Medical Officer, R. Soundaravel.
Committee members C.R. Swaminathan, Chief Executive Officer of PSG Institutions, and Ashwin Thakkar, President, Coimbatore Gujarat Samaj were among those who participated.
Collector pointed out that bed capacity availability never matches with the requirement. Ninety per cent of the outpatients mainly come only to the three departments.
He said that the buildings constructed by the Government and those sponsored by organisations such as Lions and Rotary have turned the hospital into one with a lot of fragmented buildings.
“We need to evolve a master plan identifying the requirements, modernisation and renovations and plan the construction of the new building with a holistic plan.”
Some departments do not have adequate patients for the available bed capacity but some faculties of medicine get overcrowded.
There is a need to take into account the total number of additional beds that are required at the hospital and plan for the same.
Funds may not be a problem and a proposal for funds could be sent to the Government.
Mr. Umanath pointed out that in proposals sent to the Government in the past, there had been no proposal for Coimbatore and CMCH never figured in financial allocation.
Mr.Umanath also sought focus on departments that witness an inflow of more patients rather than concentrating on just niche areas of medical care.
He said a tower block could be constructed, preventing the fragmentation of connected departments.
Mayor, R. Venkatachalam said that the future constructions and facilities need to be done with foresight, keeping in mind the growing population. He promised to provide all possible assistance from the Corporation.
Mr.Umanath said that the previous Collector, Neeraj Mittal had mobilised Rs. 36 lakh funds from philanthropists which was yet to be utilised.
The Collector suggested that either a portion of this or the entire fund could be made seed capital and the remaining funds could be sourced from the Government.
He also asked the engineers to evolve plans for avoiding waterlogging of the hospital.
In addition to this, he wanted the committee members to identify resources for creating facilities such as shelter, waiting room and parking facilities for visitors which were crying needs and basic requirements.
