Chennai to get National Institute of Ageing next year

The 200-bedded hospital, set to come up at a budget of Rs 78 crore, is expected to be launched by 2018. Once inaugurated, it will be the second such institute in the country after the one at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The institute will function under Madras Medical College (MMC). 

Stating that basic infrastructure work for the institute has been completed, Dr Narayana Babu, Dean of MMC, said, “The institute will have treatment for Geriatric Medicine, Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dental and Urology. 

Also, specialists in the field of Psychiatry, Nephrology and Cardiology will be present to provide treatment.” Commending the initiative, noted Geriatrician Dr VS Natarajan said that the demand for geriatric care has increased two-fold since he started the first Outpatient unit in MMC in 1978. 

“Not many even knew what it meant. However, as longevity of life has increased, it is in great need,” said the Father of Geriatric Medicine.  “I see three sections of people – those below 30 years of age, who fall into the ‘healthy’ category, then there are those between 30 and 60 years, who are ‘diseased’ and finally, those who are 60 and above, who live with disabilities like dementia, Alzheimer’s and arthritis. India is marching towards diseases and disabilities and therefore there is a great need for a comprehensive structure to cater to their needs,” he said. 

With over four Operation Theatres, the institute will cater to medical and surgical problems of the elderly. “Geriatric care patients need treatment for multiple problems and an institute will help cater to all the needs. 

It will have facilities for the prevention of diseases, rehabilitation of the elderly as well as for research, all under one roof, said the Head of the Department of Geriatrics at MMC.

The four-floor building will also be empanelled for the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme to cater to around 200 In Patients and 600 to 800 Out Patients, added Dr Babu.