Lockdown delays inauguration of CMC’s new campus with COVID ward

Vellore

According to hospital authorities, vital equipment like sewage treatment plant (STP) and an oxygen plant were stuck in places like New Delhi. However, the hospital managed to procure an oxygen concentrator, worth around Rs 1 crore, to ensure that the COVID special ward requested by the Ranipet district administration was able to function whenever necessary.

This measure was initiated because the district had only 40 COVID ward beds in the Scudder Memorial Hospital at Ranipet and another 60 at the Wallajahpet government HQ hospital. Moreover, to meet the growing demand for beds, the district had to rely on the Vellore government medical college hospital at Adukamparai for new cases, sources revealed.

Totally, 500 doctors and nearly 1500 nurses have been trained and were ready to serve in the new campus. While 170 beds each have been prepared in 2 phases, collectors S Divyadarshini (Ranipet) and A Shanmuga Sundaram (Vellore) informed that COVID beds in the new hospital would be resorted to only when the 370 bedded COVID ward in the hospital’s Vellore campus becomes full.

A mini dedication ceremony was conducted in the completed portions for the benefit of the CMC council members a few days ago. Though 80% work is over major issues like water supply and power connections are yet to be arranged. “The work got delayed as migrant workers left for their native states. So the officials are sure about the deadline for inauguration,” said hospital director Dr JV Peter.

The lockdown has resulted in CMC’s Vellore campus’ OP strength dwindling to 2,000 a day from the normal 8,500. However, this has resulted in the hospital starting a Manna Meal Scheme for poor patients, who cannot afford to buy food from hotels or eateries outside. “Such people are given coupons which they redeem at the hospital for lunch and dinner,” said Dr Peter. A total of 13,000 persons have benefitted in the two months from the scheme, he added.

“Similarly, the hospital in a bid to ramp up its free treatment for the poor recently started a COVID care scheme with funds from well-wishers and donors,” added Dr Peter.

“CMC has also tied up with the Mumbai-based Tata Trust to provide curated 22 hours online training for medical professionals in COVID care to enable them to work in hospitals in their respective areas. CMC provides training through experts and the new team will help in training more personnel,” he concluded.