Foundation stone laid for GH block

T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday alleged that deliberate attempts were made to undermine the achievements of state's public healthcare system, and said certain groups were trying to portray the sector as ineffective while ignoring its major advancements.Speaking after laying the foundation stone for Rs 137-crore multi-storey block at govt general hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayan said the health sector was facing targeted attacks and suggested that international corporate interests could be behind such efforts."There are attempts to conceal the progress made in the health sector and portray it as insignificant. A special campaign is being carried out against public healthcare. We will soon be able to identify who is behind this. New players, including international corporations and even American corporate groups, are trying to enter the sector, and weakening the public healthcare system would serve their interests," Vijayan said. The new hospital block, funded by KIIFB, is expected to significantly enhance treatment facilities at the historic hospital, which served patients for more than 150 years. The four-storey building will house trauma care services, intensive care units, laboratories, specialty outpatient clinics and a chemotherapy ward. Officials said the new complex will help address space constraints at the hospital while bringing advanced medical services closer to public in the state capital.The chief minister said the situation in govt hospitals before 2016 was vastly different, with many facilities struggling due to shortages of doctors, medicines and basic infrastructure. "Those who frequently criticise govt hospitals remain silent about shortcomings in the private healthcare sector," said CM, adding that such narratives demoralise healthcare workers who serve with dedication.