<drop_initial>While several government departments struggle for space and often operate from rented premises, residents and activists have raised concern over the underutilisation of two government hospital campuses along the GST Road in Tambaram and Chromepet.
The Government Leprosy Rehabilitation Promotion Unit in Tambaram, near the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), has been functioning for over three decades.
The multi-storeyed facility, spread across a large campus, caters to patients from the neighbouring districts. However, a visit to the premises indicates that occupancy remains low, with fewer than 10 inmates at a time, though officials say there are “13 to 15 inmates”.
Senior social activist Santhanam questioned the use of such a large facility in a prime locality.
“If the number of patients is low, they can be shifted to another centre. The space can then be used for emergency health services or other government needs,” he said, adding that the hospital was not clearly visible from the arterial road.
Officials say some inmates step out for banking or pension-related needs, though clarity on formal procedures governing such movement remains limited.
Long-term patients said they occasionally left the premises for personal needs after making entries in the register.
Medical Superintendent Noor Shahitha said the hospital had around 13 to 15 patients, with at least two doctors on duty daily, supported by nurses and other staff.
She added that only one of the three floors remained unused, while the others were earmarked for male and female wards. Security, she said, was monitored by the patrol police.
Ms. Shahitha added that patients were admitted not only from Chennai, but also from districts such as Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvannamalai.
Vacant plot
The old Government Hospital in Chromepet, near the MIT Flyover, remains largely vacant after services were shifted to a nearby modernised facility last August.
The old Government Hospital premises in Chromepet, which remains largely vacant after services were shifted to a new facility nearby. Photo: T. Arvind
At present, only a dental college hospital operates on the campus.
On the utilisation of space at the Tambaram Leprosy Rehabilitation Promotion Unit, Dr. Malarvizhi, Joint Director of Health Services, Chengalpattu, said any decision on shifting inmates or repurposing space would require higher-level approval, though discussions were under way.
Renovation in progress
Referring to the old Government Hospital premises in Chromepet, she said the buildings were being renovated to house an Emergency Care and Recovery Centre for persons with mental illness and a one-stop centre for persons with disabilities. A proposal for a paramedical hostel is also under consideration.
Residents and activists stressed the need for timely and effective utilisation of these public assets, as the Pallavaram, Chromepet, and Tambaram regions continue to expand.