Roof collapse in Thoothukudi Govt. Medical college Hospital; one injured

A construction worker was injured when a portion of the roof of the corridor in front of Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital’s (TKMCH) gastroenterology ward collapsed on Thursday afternoon.

Sources in the TKMCH said the mishap occurred when renovation of this 35-year-old building was going on after the patients were shifted to some other area.

“As the roof measuring about 10 feet into 12 feet came down crashing, a construction worker involved in the renovation suffered injuries. He was immediately rushed to the emergency ward and his condition is stable,” the sources said.

Doctors of the TKMCH complain that the Public Works Department, which had been entrusted with the duty of maintaining government buildings and the hospitals, was exhibiting “indifferent attitude” in maintaining or repairing the TKMCH despite repeated appeals and reminders.

“The drainage channels within the campus of TKMCH are now half-filled with silt. We sent reminders to desilt the sewage channels within TKMCH campus before the start of northeast monsoon. No action has been taken till today. Construction of the sanitary complex near the obstetrics and gynaecology ward is dragging even after six months. We sent memorandum for removal of 260-bed ward and the dialysis unit buildings, which are fragile. The roof of the rooms beneath the toilets are leaking for several months. Trees are growing on the TKMCH buildings. None of these appeals from TKMCH has been heard and translated into action,” the doctors complain.

They also said the officials concerned should ensure the quality of the lifts being installed for easy transfer of patients from wards to the operation theatres and vice-versa. And, superior quality should be ensured in the renovation of the auditorium, which is being done with ₹1 crore funding under Corporate Social Responsibility fund from a thermal power generation unit.