Tamil Nadu: Government medical colleges to get aid of Rs 356 crore from Japan International Corporation Agency

Chennai: Government Medical College seats in the state are in all likelihood going to be increased, considering that the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), is coming in with its aid of Rs. 356 Crore. The aid is meant for improving facilities of the three government medical colleges and hospitals in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore.

The Health Department informed that the Rs. 356 crore has been sanctioned for infrastructural development of the following three government medical colleges: Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, Chennai;Government Rajaji Medical College and Hospital, Madurai; and Government Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital. The aim is to develop multi specialty blocks in these hospitals.

JICA has also sanctioned another Rs.75 crore for purchase of equipment for seven district headquarters hospitals.

JICA has been requested by the government to follow MCI stipulated guidelines for the construction of these buildings.

"As the State has a proposal to increase the number of medical seats, the plan has been made. Seat number and patient care will be enhanced by this," said an official.

The officials intend breaking down these old (75-80Years) structures and make new multi specialty blocks in their place. The buildings have been decided upon after a serious structural study. "As the State has a proposal to increase the number of medical seats, the plan has been made. Seats number and patient care will be enhanced by this," said an official.The first floor is to have a surgical theater that is equipped with advanced medical imaging devices such as CT, MRI scanners, and also house two hybrid operating theaters.

"The surgeon can operate on the table looking at the MRI. This is the first of its kind in Government medical college hospitals in the State," said Dr Narayana Babu, Director of Medical Education (additional charge).

Besides this all emergency wings are to be housed under one roof. These would include casualty, radiology, IMCU, blood bank, ICCU and others. All of them under one roof would reduce the patient's treatment time as he would not have to be wheeled from one building to another added Mr. Babu.