KOCHI: The executive engineer has submitted a proposal seeking administrative sanction for completion of the fifth floor of the first phase of the new complex of District Ayurveda Hospital in Kacheripady on Wednesday. “We need at least Rs 1 crore for the fifth floor,” said executive engineer N Robeson.The new building was opened in June 2010 with two floors. The construction work of two more floors is nearly over. This poses problems for patients and staff. “We have to wait in long queues at the pharmacy counter. Though it has been upgraded into a 50-bedded hospital, only 20 beds are there and facilities are not enough. It is difficult for the elderly and the ailing to climb the steps. The panchakarma treatments are being done in a makeshift building,” said a few patients from the coastal regions of the district. “The second and third phase have to be completed fast if the hospital has to function properly,” said DMO Dr Amibika whose office is now in Thammanam. “We are coping with what we have. The facilities have to be improved. There are 50 inpatients and around 660 outpatients each day and there is no space for storage and we are short of hands. The work on the two floors (women’s wards) is over but funds are needed to complete the fifth floor (for the aged and children). Unless it is ready by March, it cannot be upgraded to a 100-bedded hospital,” said Dr Rex Nelson, Chief Medical Officer.“The four staff members provided by the NRHM are of great help,” he said Construction of ramp, lift and reception area are included in the second phase. X-ray unit, pay wards of different scales and canteen are planned in the third phase. District panchayat president Eldose Kunnappally said,”We are giving priority to the project. Over `1 crore will be sanctioned soon. Tourism packages can also be incorporated when the pay wards are ready. By next year we will turn this into an ayurveda specialty hospital,” he said. District Collector Sheik Pareeth said he would look into the matter.
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