Concern over unsafe structures at govt. hospitals in Ernakulam

The inordinate delay in demolishing unsafe structures at government hospitals in Ernakulam continues to remain a concern.

The district has the highest number of buildings at government hospitals in the State that must be demolished in view of their precarious condition. As many as 41 buildings have to be demolished, according to the Health department figures.

The data on unfit and unsafe buildings came to light after the collapse of a decades-old building at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kottayam, resulting in the tragic death of a 52-year-old on July 3.

The dilapidated buildings were mostly at primary health centres and district and taluk hospitals. Of the 41 unsafe buildings in the district, three are at the General Hospital. The unfit structures include an old store room, laundry room, and the earlier office of the District Medical Officer (DMO), according to the hospital authorities.

Though the buildings were declared unsafe, the process of demolition has not progressed as expected. It involved multi-level processes that include declaration of the structure as unfit for use, estimate preparation for demolition, and government approval to carry out the work. The three structures at the General Hospital have completed only the first stage as the estimate preparation by the engineering wing of the Public Works department is pending, they said.

Doctors working at primary health centres and taluk hospitals said the delay in the demolition of unsafe buildings had in turn delayed efforts to set up new buildings utilising funds available under the Member of Parliament’s regional development fund. The government should accord top priority to carrying out the demolition work, especially at primary health centres in the district, they added.

The Opposition had alleged that the government’ apathy in demolishing unsafe structures would lead to situations similar to the tragedy at the Kottayam MCH.

Efforts to get official response on unsafe buildings from the Ernakulam District Collector and the DMO failed as they did not respond to calls and messages.