Latest news with #TvMCH
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Eight months on, TvMCH pay ward remains unused
TIRUNELVELI: Doctors from Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH) have alleged that the hospital administration has not shown interest in making the pay ward inaugurated by Health Minister Ma Subramanian in November 2024 fully functional. They added that the Rs 1.10 crore first-floor ward does not have a ramp or lift to transport patients. According to TvMCH administration, the ward comprises around 15 private rooms, and each room is furnished with amenities such as sofas, single cots, a television, a water heater, and attached bathrooms. The daily charges were fixed at Rs 1,000 for single occupancy, Rs 1,500 for two people, and Rs 2,000 for four. However, the ward has not been made fully functional by the TvMCH administration. The management only ends up shifting a few patients to the ward when some media reports about its poor condition. Another doctor from the general medical department alleged that the ward was set up in an old nursing students' hostel, which was abandoned after a new hostel was built.
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
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.'
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Tangedco inspects power infrastructure at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital
TIRUNELVELI: Ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH) and its Multi-Specialty Hospital block during summer and natural calamities, Tangedco's Tirunelveli distribution circle's superintending engineer R Akilandeswari inspected the high-voltage feeders connected to both hospitals here on Monday. In a statement, Tangedco said that TvMCH is one of the most sought health institutions from across South Tamil Nadu for critical and routine care. During the inspection, Akilandeswari reviewed the condition and switching capacity of the feeders from four substations, including the primary 110/33/11 KV Palayamkottai substation (via AR line feeder), the 33/11 KV Thyagarajanagar substation, the 33/11 KV Samathanapuram substation, and the 110/33/11 KV Palayamkottai substation (via market feeder). She assessed the ring main units (RMUs), sectionaliser, and various critical devices to ensure that alternate routes could be activated immediately in case of disruption due to lightning, storms, or heavy rains. Akilandeswari also reviewed the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system for real-time monitoring of substations and directed field engineers in all distribution sections to remain alert and responsive throughout the summer. She advised that generators at the hospitals must be kept in good condition, with sufficient diesel reserves to manage emergencies. Executive engineer Murugan, assistant executive engineer Shankar, and assistant engineer Arunan were present.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Footfall rises, TvMCH in need of second MRI unit
TIRUNELVELI: Doctors and patients at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH) have urged the state government to provide an additional MRI scanner to meet the growing diagnostic demands of patients from the southern districts. Speaking to TNIE on condition of anonymity, a doctor at the hospital said the lone, outdated MRI scanner currently in use is inadequate. 'In 2024-25 alone, TvMCH treated 6,53,874 inpatients and 12,43,674 outpatients. We receive patients not just from Tirunelveli but also from Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, and Virudhunagar. The waiting period for an MRI ranges from three to 10 days. In critical cases, patients are forced to seek private facilities,' the doctor said. According to hospital records, 10,597 MRI scans were performed at TvMCH during 2024-25. Another doctor pointed out that several districts have been equipped with more than one MRI scanner in the government hospitals. 'Government Rajaji Medical College Hospital in Madurai has two MRI scanners — one at the main campus and another at the PMSSY Building. Chennai's government hospitals have nine scanners in total. Several districts have two each. Given the patient load at TvMCH, the government must consider providing an additional scanner to TvMCH,' the doctor added. A Mariammal, an attendant of an orthopaedic patient, said to TNIE that her relative had to wait 12 days for an MRI scan. 'The longer the delay, the more the patient's condition deteriorates. We heard that patients in the intensive care unit get scanned within one to three days,' she added. A cardiology patient recently discharged from TvMCH said he had no choice but to approach a private scan centre. 'My condition did not permit me to wait for a week. The long-pending demand for an additional MRI scanner continues to be ignored,' he said. A senior administrator of TvMCH said the government was actively considering the proposal for an additional MRI scanner. 'We have forwarded the request to the Health Minister and Health Secretary,' the official said.
