(Image Credit: PTTV News)
Four months after its formal inauguration, the tower block of Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai remains closed to the public, despite expectations. This delay has left the community deprived and suffering, particularly due to the high costs at private hospitals that many cannot afford.
One such case is a ten-year-old boy from Anuppanadi in Madurai, who has been suffering from an untreated condition for the past four years. Raised by his old grandmother after his mother’s passing and abandonment by his father, the boy urgently needs heart surgery.
The new tower block, inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at a cost of ₹313.25 crore, remains underutilized with 779 medical staff, including doctors, yet to be employed. This delay means thousands in South Tamil Nadu, like the young boy, are unable to access necessary medical care and continue to suffer.
The boy’s grandmother expressed her frustration with the situation at Madurai Government Hospital, where they were unable to perform the surgery due to age restrictions and lack of facilities, pushing them towards expensive private care they cannot afford. She implored the government to intervene and save her grandson.
Health-rights activist Veronica Mary with RTI highlighted that while most of the medical equipment for the new building has been received, critical staffing shortages persist due to unprocessed proposals from the hospital administration to the Directorate of Medical Education.
The hospital administration attributes the delay in opening the tower block fully to ongoing works required by the Public Works Department. Until these are completed, the hospital cannot open its doors to the public, exacerbating the plight of patients in need.
(With Inputs From PTTV News)
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