KOCHI: The technical cell of National Service Scheme under the technical education department has initiated ‘Punarjani,’ a project to revive and improve the basic infrastructure facilities in government hospitals. As many as 55 major hospitals have been selected to implement the project. Due to lack of regular maintenance, equipment, including expensive medical tools, remain unused in many hospitals which will be repaired as part of the scheme.
The state government has allocated budgetary provision to the department for the initiative considering the success of similar projects taken up in previous years. “The health department, local bodies and thousands of poor patients who depend on government hospitals will benefit from the scheme,” said Dr. K.P. Indira Devi, director of technical education. Volunteers of the NSS technical cell have started repairing operation tables, nebulizers, BP apparatus, drip stands, trolleys, wheel chairs, coats, chairs and tables in selected hospitals. The team of youngsters will also do electrical, plumbing, painting and waste management works.
“We’ve initiated the programme with an objective of involving youngsters in the state’s development and to provide them an opportunity to grow through social service. During the 7-day Punarjani camp, we plan to revive assets in government hospitals worth more than Rs 10 crore,” said Mr Abdul Jabbar Ahmed, programme coordinator of NSS technical cell. In Ernakulam district, the hospitals selected for the initiative are Ernakulam medical college, Ernakulam government general hospital, district hospital, Aluva taluk hospital, Perumbavoor and general hospital, Muvattupuzha. Equipm-ent worth over Rs 50 lakh are being repaired in these five hospitals.
