Chengalpattu Hospital: A Health Hazard Amidst Waste and Decay

Chengalpattu Government Hospital, a long-standing healthcare institution, is grappling with significant infrastructure deficiencies that compromise patient care. The campus is marred by open waste dumping and the pervasive presence of stray dogs, creating unsanitary conditions. Patients report a critical lack of proper drainage, with wastewater flowing openly and polluting nearby Kolavai lake.

The internal road network connecting vital departments like critical care, ophthalmology, and pediatrics is severely damaged, filled with potholes for years. This makes access difficult for patients and staff. Despite a new building, essential facilities like functioning lifts remain an issue, often shut down for maintenance.

Efforts to address these problems have been met with bureaucratic hurdles. A proposal for road paving estimated at ₹50 lakh was rejected. While alternative funding through insurance is being explored, the hospital's dilapidated state continues to affect thousands of villagers who rely on it as their primary referral center.