Urban News

The Hindu      09.08.2010

Corporation health centres to get semi-auto analysers

R. Sujatha

Cheap and best:A biochemist performing a routine test at the Chennai Corporation diagnostic laboratory in Valluvar Kottam on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will soon provide semi-auto analysers at 70 of its 72 health centres in the city, said Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni.

The total cost of the new project was Rs.35 lakh, with each piece costing around Rs.40,000, Mr. Lakhoni said.

At present, the analysers are available at six diagnostic laboratories in Saidapet, Perambur, EVR Salai, Thiruvanmiyur, Purasawalkam and Valluvar Kottam. Each laboratory receives around 80 to 100 patients a day, according to Corporation officials.

The analyser is useful in testing routine blood samples collected from the doorsteps of the residents. The routine tests include testing for blood sugar, cholesterol, blood urea, Creatinine, uric acid, lipid profile and liver function. Health Officer P. Kuganantham said the cost for testing is a fourth of what is charged by private laboratories in the city. Blood samples are picked up from the doorstep for a charge of Rs.15. Persons requiring this facility may call 1913. At present the diagnostic laboratories provide testing facilities such as ECG, X-ray and ultrasound. Testing is done routinely for dengue and leptospirosis whereas advanced methods are used to test for malaria, Dr. Kuganantham added. Swabs for suspected swine flu infection are taken and sent to the King Institute, Guindy, he said. At select health facilities, tests for thyroid function, breast cancer screening and bone density are done.

The Hindu      04.08.2010

Plan to construct stormwater drain network

K. Lakshmi

— Photo: K.Pichumani

Work in progress recently to desilt the stormwater drain on Thirumangalam Mogappair Main Road.

CHENNAI: The Tiruvallur division of the State Highways Department plans to construct stormwater drain network and repair existing facilities on some of the arterial roads as part of the measures to avoid inundation during monsoon.

The department has recently taken up work to repair the stormwater drain on Thirumangalam Mogappair Main Road in Anna Nagar West at a cost of Rs.80 lakh.

V. Rajagopal, a resident of Mogappair, said repairing the SWD would help in arresting water stagnation in many adjacent areas, including TVS Colony, Officers' Colony and West End Colony. Officials of the Highways Department said the nearly 2-km stretch of SWD left open on the road would be desilted and covered. The work would be completed by August-end.

The department also proposes to construct SWD on a 3.4-km stretch from Valasaravakkam to Porur junction on Arcot Road. Residents recalled that they had to struggle to cross the stretch in Valasaravakkam during monsoon as there was no vent for the rainwater to drain.

Similarly, SWD would be constructed on the Poonamallee Avadi Road. Officials said the work to widen the road from the existing 7 metre to 10.5 m is nearing completion. The four-lane road would be converted to a six-lane facility at a cost of Rs.5.7 crore. The project would be completed by August-end.

Of the total 20-km distance from Kathipara junction to Avadi, SWD network has been provided for a distance of 5 km. The department would construct drain for a distance of 7 km between Porur and Avadi in the first phase. The project would be taken up either under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission or Chennai Metropolitan Development project, the officials said.