Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital Renovation: Chief Minister Lays Foundation Stone for Multi-storey Building

Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, laid the foundation stone for a multi-storey building worth Rs 137 crore at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital, which aims to transform the hospital into a world-class treatment center. The modern building, funded by the KIIFB will bring advanced facilities typically available only in medical colleges to the general public once it becomes a reality, the Chief Minister said.

He further mentioned that the new building for the General Hospital marks a significant milestone for the health sector in Thiruvananthapuram. The growth of this institution, with a legacy of over 150 years, is a point of pride for the state. Today, specialty departments like cardiology, nephrology, and neurology, along with advanced systems like Cath Labs and stroke ICUs, are available in several government hospitals. However, there are some people who are trying to undermine these achievements and destroy the health sector. There are suspicions of international corporate interests behind these attempts.

The government had previously revived government hospitals that were in poor condition, lacking medications and doctors, through initiatives like the Ardram Mission. Kerala managed to stand strong during the COVID crisis due to the facilities we had put in place. Our infant mortality rate, lower than that of the US, has been a source of amazement for even developed countries. Some people are trying to discourage healthcare workers by exaggerating isolated incidents in hospitals while ignoring similar issues in corporate hospitals. Healthcare workers in government hospitals work with a sense of dedication, and the government will take strict action if any lapses occur.

Health Minister Veena George, who chaired the event, stated that the General Hospital has successfully performed surgeries, including corneal transplants, which are not available in many district hospitals across the country. In the past month alone, five corneal transplants were successfully carried out at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital. Dialysis facilities, which were once available in only a few hospitals, have now been expanded to 125 hospitals. By providing free dialysis to 3,000 patients daily, the government is saving ordinary people from a significant financial burden.

There have been major changes in medical education in the state, from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram. Four new medical colleges and 21 nursing colleges have been established. Key achievements of the state government include the establishment of the Institute of Organ Transplantation, International Ayurvedic Research Centre, and KSDC. The Minister also mentioned that the state received a national award for ensuring free treatment for 42.5 lakh families. Additionally, the creation of Cath Labs in 14 districts has significantly reduced the mortality rate due to heart attacks from 30 percent to 6 percent.

As part of the hospital's renovation, a modern 4-storey building will be constructed. The ground floor will house the reception area, trauma care, general OP, ARV clinic, and pharmacy. The second floor will include various intensive care wards, seminar rooms, e-health facilities, and general clinics. The third floor will have extensive laboratory facilities, blood banks, and specialty and super-specialty outpatient clinics. The fourth floor will be equipped with chemotherapy wards, operation theaters, and dental OP clinics. Additionally, there will be a service block with an AC plant, medical gas unit, and laundry. Ten elevators have been included for the convenience of both patients and the public. Once completed, this building will alleviate the space constraints currently faced by the General Hospital, making a significant improvement in its operations.