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New Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
14,850 accident cases treated at Madurai GRH under NK-48 scheme
MADURAI: As many as 14,850 road accident victims have benefitted through the 'Innuyir Kappom Nammai Kakkum 48' (NK-48) scheme at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai, since its launch in December 2021 till April 2025, according to records from the GRH Emergency Department. The hospital has so far provided treatment worth Rs 15.01-crore free of cost for patients under the scheme, said Dr S Thanappan, HOD (Emergency Medicine), GRH. For the four years till 2024, the hospital has performed a total of 11,869 surgeries under the scheme -- 4,122 neurosurgeries, 3,056 orthopaedic surgeries, 4,247 general surgeries, and 444 major surgeries. In 2025, till April, the emergency department of the hospital has carried out 523 neurosurgeries, 557 orthopaedic surgeries, and 921 general surgeries. Speaking to TNIE, Dr Thanappan said, "The primary task of the scheme is to treat and save the victims within 48 hours of the accident. Thus, all kinds of road accident cases are included in the scheme, and only these cases are eligible. A majority of the cases are related to neurology and neurosurgery, fractures (ortho) and severe vascular injuries. Often, cases from Theni, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Dindigul are referred to the GRH, as victims might require advanced procedures, especially neurosurgeries. Many district hospitals and medical college hospitals do not have specialists in neurology, posing difficulties in treating head injuries at those facilities."
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
GRH introduces ‘Grief Counselor' to provide details on health condition of patients
Government Rajaji Hospital here has introduced 'Grief Counsellor' with the main objective to provide timely information and updates regarding the status of the patient's health condition to the family members and relatives. Speaking at the launch on Thursday, Dean L. Arul Sundaresh Kumar said that Tamil Nadu Accident and Emergency Care Initiative (TAEI) centre was among the best performing centres in the State. In order to improve the centre, there was a plan to introduce the 'Grief Counselor' or a help desk and steps were being taken in this regard. When a patient is admitted to the emergency care centre, the doctors immediately start the treatment. The patient's attendants are briefed about the health condition of the patient. As time progresses, slowly more and more family members and relatives come and inquire about the status of the patients, and in some cases, when the patients are in a serious condition, constant updates are being provided to the family members, he said The doctor provides the details and also clarifies the doubts of the patients and their family members. Sometimes, the doctors are busy as they have to concentrate on the other patients. This is where the 'Grief Counselor' steps in and plays the role of providing the necessary details, he said. The GRH Dean said that the one-of-its-kind initiative was launched in association with the Arogya Welfare Trust that implements the social responsibility initiatives of the TVS Group, Madurai. It will pay the salary to the 'Grief Counselor.' A trial run was conducted and due to the good response to the initiative, it was launched officially, he added. TAEI Medical Officer Thanappan said that on a daily basis the GRH was receiving many emergency cases and trauma cases were referred from neighbouring districts, including critically ill patients. The family members and relatives of the patients come to the centre in a panic. To have a team to patiently listen to them and provide status of the patients was needed. It was similar to a 'May I Help You' centre. The doctors can also discharge their duties without needless distraction, he said.
