Amma canteen inaugurated in government general hospital

During their stay, one of the biggest expenses faced by them is for food as most of these outpatient visitors or their relatives spend the night within the sprawling hospital campus and sleep in the open.

Woes of these people may have ended on Wed­n­esday after Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa ina­u­gurated the largest Amma Unavagam (Am­ma canteen) in the state at the hospital campus. The sprawling cafetaria built on a 5,100 square feet space can accommodate 300 people at the same time and is among the first hotels, including private ones, in the city to be made disabled friendly.

The Amma canteen that was inaugurated by the Chief Minister from the secretariat through video conferencing, was thronged by thousands of people on day one.

“Besides, the canteen is disabled friendly and has wheel chair access which is a big boon for patients who cannot walk upto the cafetaria. Patients would be grateful for this initiative and hopefully, this could trigger other restaura­nts to follow the same,” said Subra­ma­niam, a police constable who was present at the government hospital here on Wednesday.

Amma canteens that have been opened across the state have proven to be a big hit among the public and the one at GH is expected to repeat its success.

While the opening of the Amma canteen has been welcomed by one and all, the only folks who seem to be upset at this event is the contractors and staff at the ex­isting canteen at the hospital which was fo­und virtually empty all day.