The Times of India         20.11.2013

Corporation to open state’s biggest Amma canteen at Government General Hospital today

CHENNAI: Government General Hospital, the largest state-run healthcare facility, will on Wednesday open the largest 'Amma Canteen' in the state.

Corporation of Chennai has completed construction of the sprawling 6,000sqft eatery, where visitors will be able to sample the piping hot idlis, pongal and other dishes that have made the subsidised eateries popular across the state.

It has a kitchen and two dining halls with a seating capacity of more than 300.

"The canteen will be the biggest in the state. It will provide quality food at affordable prices to people who visit the hospital," Chennai mayor Saidai Duraisamy said. "The menu will be the same as at the other canteens but we will gradually increase the number of dishes offered."

Employees at the hospital are excited by the prospect of the canteen opening on the premises and administrators hope it will help keep the place clean. Dealing with food waste is a major problem at the hospital. Visitors normally bring food from home in containers or buy food from restaurants nearby and eat in the corridors. "They do not dispose of leftovers properly and end up littering the hospital, which is a hazard for patients," a senior doctor said.The corporation plans to open budget canteens in Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, Government Royapettah Hospital and Stanley Medical College and Hospital as well.