Serving the public with quality education and treatment for the past 75 years, the Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital began its platinum jubilee celebrations with a grand function on Friday and honoured senior and former professors.
Speaking at the function, Health Minister K C Veeramani said that the college had produced great professors and researchers and that even patients from other states came here because of the service, “The hospital is known for leading the way with surgical excellence. Many students want to study here and that shows its reputation and the quality of education it offers. I hope students will help develop this institution further,” he said. The minister appreciated the efforts taken by the alumni in developing the infrastructure of the college.
Agreeing that Stanley Medical College is one of the most sought after colleges, Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan recalled how an academically bright candidate approached him to get a seat in the reconstructive surgery department. “He said Stanley is the best when it comes to trauma plastic surgery. This is the only hospital that people in North Chennai depend upon. This year, about Rs 26 crore has been given to the college under the CM’s insurance scheme,” he informed. He also urged the students to create awareness on zoonatic diseases by writing articles and getting them published.
Royapuram MLA D Jayakumar, who said he spent about Rs 1.75 crore for Stanley alone out of the Rs 2 crores allotted for his constituency last year, recollected spending much of his time in the men’s hostel of the college though he missed out on the cut-off marks to secure a medical seat.
Dr S Geethalakshmi, Dean of the college, who graduated in the 1973 batch, recalled her days in the institution fondly. Tracing the history of Stanley, the Dean said that a hospital was started where Stanley is located now, in 1803 when people were besotted with diseases during a drought. In 1833, it became a college and in 1836, the college was named LMP and had 72 students. It was in 1938 that the college was named Stanley and was affiliated to Madras University, she added. The college, at present, has about 1,000 students studying in 47 departments. A souvenir commemorating 75 years was released on the occasion and senior and retired professors and doctors were also honoured. Cultural events, blood donations and planting of saplings will be organised on July 27 and 28 to mark the celebration.