Kozhikode: Infinite waiting is the fate of the people of Koyilandy for the full-fledged new government taluk hospital complex.
The wait for the inaugural of the Rs 20 crore six-storey building has passed three years and only outpatient (OP) wing, pediatric ward and casualty are open till now.
On the other hand, the old block is teeming with patients with the daily OP admission ranging between 2,500 and 3,000.
Though the authorities had announced several dates for the official inauguration, they could not meet any,
“Now, we are waiting for fire and safety wing clearance. All other hurdles, including power connection and building permit, were cleared. The electrical wing of the public works department has to act now,” says hospital superintendent Dr K.M. Sachin Babu.
Earlier, the non-supply of power and non-allotment of building number were the main hindrances. They were sorted out after health minister K.K. Shylaja visited the hospital in February.
“All other works are over, and the municipality has earmarked Rs 50 lakh for setting wards and buying beds and cots, etc. Another Rs 80 lakh has also been provided for the waste treatment plant,” explains Koyilandy municipal chairman K. Sathyan.
The MLA had provided Rs 50 lakh from his local area development fund for compound wall construction.
The hospital's capacity will go up to 200 beds from 159. The hospital has signed an agreement with HLL Life Care to introduce modern equipment with the thrust on gynaecology department, including a labour room.
The gynaecology department stopped functioning two decades back citing lack of infrastructure. The full-fledged functioning of the hospital is expected to lessen the pressure on Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
