Tamil Nadu: Memorandum submitted for Siddha Medical University

Tirunelveli: The Siddha Medical University which was to be established on a new campus at Tirunelveli through efforts of Siddha practitioners and budding Siddha doctors through the then Chief Minister, Jaylalitha, is yet to see light of day. This, despite an order having been passed by the government favouring the development on January 23, 2012. Fresh endevours in this direction have now been undertaken in the form of a memorandum being submitted to the Chief Minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Minister for Public Health C. Vijayabhaskar by the Mass Movement for Siddha Medical University.The memorandum urges them to immediately start the work on establishing Siddha Medical University here.

The Mass Movement organiser and former Dean of Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, S. Ramaguru, and coordinator Amalanathan submitted the memorandum to the government.

The memorandum highlighting the plight of the present Siddha Medical College states that the College buildings initiated on 3 acres of land in Palayamkottai, 50 years ago, as a temporary arrangement, continue to function to this day in those cramped facilities.

The 8 crore fund granted in the ensuing years could not be put to use for making additional buildings and new departments due to space hindrances.

In the following years, after facing undue delay in the establishment of the university, a few students approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which then directed the official machinery to identify a suitable place for establishing the new Siddha campus within 6 months, through appointment of a special officer to supervise the construction.However, the efforts did not bear frution either.

“Since the Siddha Medical University will require a minimum of 200 acres, the State Government should expedite the process of identifying the right and accessible land in the district for creating the sprawling campus with all mandatory facilities as it will ensure excellent medical assistance to the people,” the memorandum said, reports the Hindu.

The memorandums were submitted to the Chief Minister and the Minister for Public Health in the presence of the Rajya Sabha MP, Vijila Sathyananth.