Sellur to have a modern maternity centre

MADURAI: Madurai corporation plans to set up a maternity centre in Sellur with facilities that will give private clinics a run for their money, soon. This model maternity hospital, which is expected to cater to the poor people living in and around Sellur and its surrounding areas, would be completed in a year's time.
Work has already started at the existing maternity centre in the area.Officials said, the new facility, which will have 50 beds instead of the present 10, is expected to cost the corporation around Rs 40 lakh. Modern medical equipment would be purchased with funds from National Urban Health Mission, R Nanthagopal, commissioner, Madurai corporation, said. A modern resting hall would also be built for visitors. The corporation is keen on providing better education and health facility for the poor and several initiatives have been started to make it happen, Nanthagopal claimed.
The existing hospital building has been demolished since the structure had become weak. A two-storied block is expected to be constructed in its place by mid 2014. Other health centres in the city are also being upgraded gradually, corporation officials said.
V Yasodha Mani, city health officer, Madurai corporation, told TOI that adequate number of gynaecologists and paediatricians will be appointed at the health centres to serve the patients. "The upcoming hospital would serve in a better way since the demolished building was in a low lying area which was inconvenient for patients, especially when it rained," she said.
The extent of the facilities that could be introduced in the new premises is still not clear as funds have to come from NUHM. Madurai corporation has plans to upgrade all the urban health centres within the city limit in a phased manner, she added.