THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Established over six decades ago for specialised treatment of tuberculosis and other related ailments, the Chest Diseases Hospital at Pulayanarkotta in the capital is now battling a host of issues including infrastructure woes, shortage of manpower and trouble from anti-social elements.
Adding to the woes of the staff and patients, various wards of the hospital are located far away from each other on the campus. The 13-acre hospital campus, covered with thick bushes, does not have a compound wall or gate. According to the inmates, snakes and rodents often find their way to the wards.
Local residents have frequently complained about the hospital’s ill-kept surroundings and the anti-social activities in the area to various authorities but to no avail.
According to an official with the City Corporation, the hospital began functioning in a sprawling 117-acre campus. However, it shrunk to a mere 13 acre after its land was allocated to the Air Force, Indian Institute of Diabetes and the Regional Cancer Centre.
According to bystanders, the frequent movement of vehicles to the Air Force facility nearby causes a lot of inconvenience to the patients. The only ambulance in the hospital does not have a permanent driver. The hospital has around 260 staff members, including 12 doctors and 52 nurses.
When contacted, District Medical Officer Dr K Venugopalan Nair said he was not aware of the issues faced by the hospital staff and inmates. “I will examine the matter and take necessary action,” he added.
Anti-Social Activities
Despite being a prominent healthcare institution, there is only one security personnel in the entire compound. The absence of adequate security staff and the overgrowth of bushes in the vicinity has made the place a favourite haunt of anti-social elements. The women staff members, especially the nurses, are facing the brunt of these anti-social activities.
“Anti-social activities are going on unchecked in the area. We are planning to launch a public initiative to protect the place and bring peace to the residents,” said V R Sini, councillor, Akkulam ward.
However, the police maintain that all is well in the area. “As of now, we have not registered any such cases relating to anti-social activities. The situation is calm,” said Sheen Tharayil, Circle Inspector, Medical College.