A representation was made to implement TAEI at Tirumangalam government hospital, but no action has been taken yet, the petitioner said and sought a direction to the authorities to implement the TAEI facility at the hospital.
| Photo Credit: File Photo
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday sought response from the State to a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to the authorities to take necessary steps to implement Tamil Nadu Accident and Emergency care Initiative (TAEI) with advanced medical equipment and adequate trauma care facilities to handle road accident cases at Tirumanagalam government hospital in Madurai district.
A Division Bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan were hearing the petition filed by A. Veronica Mary of Madurai. The petitioner said Tirumangalam, Melur and Vadipatti government hospitals in the district were located near the National Highway. These hospitals frequently received patients who were injured in road accidents.
Despite the location of these hospitals, TAEI was not implemented except in the Melur taluk hospital. Tirumangalam government hospital receives a significantly higher number of patients compared to Melur government hospital. However, the hospital lacked the adequate infrastructure and critical need for emergency care services and specialised medical equipment and trained doctors to handle trauma cases, she said.
She said the hospital lacked essential medical equipment such as C-arm machines and CT scanners. There was no dedicated trauma care team comprising specialists like surgeons, anaesthetists, paediatricians and other medical professionals required for handling emergencies during the ‘golden hour’ after accidents. This lack of facilities had resulted in many accident victims losing their lives en route to tertiary care centres like Government Rajaji Hospitals due to delays caused by referrals.
The Health Department had previously announced plans to expand trauma care facilities under TAEI at the major taluk hospitals located near national highways. A representation was made to implement TAEI at Tirumangalam government hospital. However, no action has been taken by the authorities yet, she said and sought a direction to the authorities to implement the TAEI facility at the hospital. The court posted the matter for hearing to November 14.
Published – October 30, 2025 11:25 pm IST
