Centralised AC in TvMCH's operation theatre goes bust; staff, patients suffer
TIRUNELVELI: Doctors and patients from the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH) Super Speciality Block have complained that the centralised air conditioner (AC) in the operating theatre (OT) and post-operative wards has not been working for the past 10 days.
A senior doctor working in TvMCH told TNIE that the non-functional AC system has put patients' lives at risk, with the surgeons' sweat dripping onto the patient's organs.
There are six tables in the OT and at least 30 staff, including doctors from various specialities wearing surgical aprons, conduct surgeries at each table. With no ventilation facilities, the OT solely depends on AC, as the National Medical Commission mandated. Some surgeries take five to six hours, as the facility has not been working for the past 10 days, doctors and their support staff are suffering.
Another doctor seeking anonymity said that despite repeated requests to the administration, no action was taken to fix the AC. He alleged that the company appointed to maintain the facility failed to carry out periodic maintenance and repair as per the agreement. The management expects us to pay lakhs of rupees from the money our department receives under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme for the repair works.
Patients in the post-operative ward said, 'At least in the OT, we are unconscious and do not feel the pain. However, here in the post-operative ward, we begin to feel the pain. Without an AC, it feels like hell. The hospital administration has provided pedestal fans as a temporary solution. However, the fan only emits hot air during the summer, making it worse.'
When TNIE contacted Dean Dr Revathy Balan, she said repair works began three days ago and the facility has nine motors in total. The service provider will possibly make one unit operational by Wednesday. The PWD is responsible for following up on such works. The building does not have a provision for ceiling fans. However, for now, we have arranged some portable fans for the OT staff.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Focus on prevention as lifestyle-related illnesses drive organ failure, doctors told
N. Gopalakrishnan, Member Secretary of the Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN), said on Saturday that doctors must increasingly focus on preventing organ failure, as lifestyle factors and habits continue to contribute to a growing number of cases. He was speaking in Coimbatore at the inaugural session of the national liver transplant conference and advanced medical training, organised jointly by GEM Hospital and the Liver Transplant Society of India (LTSI). Addressing the gap between demand and supply in organ transplantation, he said Tamil Nadu was the first State to provide financial assistance of up to ₹22 lakh for any transplant procedure under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. Tamil Nadu was also the first State to start liver transplant services at Stanley Government Medical College Hospital. It streamlined organ allocation systems and clarified medico-legal procedures related to organ donation from brain-dead donors. The State has undertaken several combined transplants, including pancreas and kidney, liver and kidney, and heart and lung. Thirteen government medical colleges and hospitals, and 27 government NTORC hospitals, contribute significantly to transplantation efforts in the State, he said. 'Almost all States, and even the Union Government, have replicated Tamil Nadu's government orders on transplantation,' Mr. Gopalakrishnan added. The three-day conference will feature sessions on robotic and laparoscopic surgical techniques for liver transplantation. It will also offer evidence-based discussions for medical professionals and postgraduate students pursuing specialisation in transplant medicine. A key highlight is a full-day 'Liver ICU Training' programme for intensive care nurses. The session focuses on patient preparation, post-operative care protocols, and post-surgical monitoring techniques. This is the first large-scale educational initiative of its kind for nursing professionals at a national medical conference, the organisers said. Other sessions will cover advancements in transplant anaesthesia, organ donation protocols for ICU staff, and long-term patient care strategies to improve clinical outcomes.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Over 81 lakh people benefited from CM health insurance scheme: TN Govt
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday said that over 81 lakh persons have benefited from the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme . Listing out various achievements of the health and family welfare department during the 4 years of DMK rule in the state, headed by Chief Minister M K Stalin, an official release also pointed out that the country's second National Centre for Ageing has been set up here at an outlay of Rs 151 crore. "Under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, 81,33,806 beneficiaries have benefited with an insurance amount of Rs 5,878.85 crore." "Out of this, 25,80,867 beneficiaries have been treated in government hospitals at an insurance cost of Rs 2,750.28 crore," it added. Further, the 108 ambulance service scheme has benefited 79.85 lakh people, including 19 lakh pregnant mothers and nearly 14 lakh road accident victims. Setting up of new government hospitals, including the Kalaignar Centenary Special Hospital, initiatives like the Mother and Children Nutrition Kit, the Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Project and the School Children's Eye Protection Scheme have benefited a number of persons across the state, it added.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Business Standard
Over 8.1 mn people benefited from CM health insurance scheme: TN govt
The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday said that over 8.1 million persons have benefited from the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. Listing out various achievements in the 4-year old DMK rule headed by Chief Minister M K Stalin, an official release also pointed out that the country's second National Centre for Ageing has been set up here at an outlay of Rs 151 crore. "Under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, 81,33,806 beneficiaries have benefited with an insurance amount of Rs 5,878.85 crore." "Out of this, 25,80,867 beneficiaries have been treated in government hospitals at an insurance cost of Rs 2,750.28 crore," it added. Further, the 108 ambulance service scheme has benefited 7.985 million people including 1.9 million pregnant mothers and nearly 1.4 million road accident victims. Setting up of new government hospitals, including the Kalaignar Centenary Special Hospital, initiatives like the Mother and Children Nutrition Kit, the Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Project and the School Children's Eye Protection Scheme have benefited a number of persons across the state, it added.
