The long-awaited Institute of Child Health and Research Centre in Madurai is finally nearing completion, with authorities announcing its expected operational date. The state-of-the-art facility, built on the campus of the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), represents a significant ₹40 crore investment in paediatric healthcare for southern Tamil Nadu.
A Modern Hub for Paediatric Care
According to Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar, the Dean of GRH, the new centre is projected to be fully functional by March. This modern building will completely replace the existing children's block, which is currently housed in an ageing structure. The shift of all paediatric services to the new premises is anticipated to dramatically enhance both infrastructure and the quality of care offered to young patients.
The scale of the new institute is substantial. It spans a built-up area of 73,227 square feet across a ground floor plus five additional levels. The facility is designed to accommodate 219 beds and will feature a comprehensively equipped outpatient department (OPD), a dedicated fever ward, an intensive care unit (ICU), and various other advanced treatment and research spaces specifically for paediatrics.
Meeting the Growing Demand from Southern Districts
Dr. Nandini Kuppusamy, head of the paediatric department at GRH, emphasised the regional importance of the centre. She noted that the hospital receives a significant influx of patients from neighbouring districts including Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Dindigul, and Sivaganga. The new centre is strategically designed to handle this increasing patient load and to provide specialised, integrated care under a single roof.
This development addresses a critical gap in the region's healthcare landscape. Health rights activist A. Veronica Mary pointed out that among the 38 government medical college hospitals in Tamil Nadu, GRH handles the second-highest patient load, trailing only behind Chennai. While Chennai has long had the Institute of Child Health and Hospitals in Egmore, Madurai is only now receiving a comparable dedicated facility. Given Madurai's high referral rate from surrounding areas, activists stress the need for the new centre to be equipped on par with its Chennai counterpart.
A Long-Overdue Upgrade for the Community
The upgrade has been warmly welcomed by the public, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds who rely on GRH for affordable, quality medical treatment. Maheswari S, a visitor to the hospital, expressed a common sentiment, stating that thousands of families from socially and economically weaker sections depend on GRH. She remarked that modernising the children's healthcare facilities was long overdue and that the new institute will lead to a marked improvement in paediatric care.
The impending launch of the Institute of Child Health and Research Centre marks a pivotal moment for healthcare in Madurai and the broader southern region of Tamil Nadu. It stands as a ₹40 crore Centre of Excellence poised to transform paediatric treatment, research, and outcomes for generations to come.
