Call for Specialist Appointments at Pollachi Government Hospital
Concerns Raised by Healthcare Beneficiaries Welfare Committee
Coimbatore: Members of the Healthcare Beneficiaries Welfare Committee at the Coimbatore District Government Headquarters Hospital, along with local residents, have urged state authorities to appoint essential specialists at the Pollachi government hospital. Despite having 462 inpatient beds, the facility currently lacks experts in cardiothoracic surgery, neurology, and dermatology.
Challenges Faced by Patients
According to a report by The New Indian Express, the absence of these critical services forces patients to travel to the Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital for specialized consultations. The district hospital, operating as a well-equipped taluk-level institution, treats over 1,500 outpatients daily and provides a variety of services, including internal medicine, surgery, child health, obstetrics and gynecology, ear, nose and throat care, orthopedics, trauma and emergency services, as well as intensive cardiac care supported by designated specialists.
Rural Community Impact
R Vellai Nataraj, a member of the Healthcare Beneficiaries Welfare Committee, explained that the hospital serves residents from rural areas and villages such as Valparai and Udumalai. In emergencies, patients often require high-quality treatment and are forced to travel to private hospitals or the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH), located approximately 41 km away. This situation places a significant financial burden on patients who must pay for private care and travel expenses.
Long-standing Demand for Specialists
Nataraj noted, “Many individuals suffering from heart, skin, and nerve conditions are referred to CMCH due to the lack of specialists. Although the need for a dermatologist had been expressed for 14 years, a solution was briefly implemented four years ago. Unfortunately, the doctor was later transferred to Vettaikkaranpudur GH.”
Health Department Insights
A senior official from the health department highlighted that even at the medical college hospital, there is often a shortage of neurologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. Filling similar positions at a taluk-level hospital presents additional challenges. “The hospital is currently operating with the full-sanctioned strength of doctors established several years ago. There is a need to reassess the sanctioned strength, and specialist appointments could be considered during this revision,” the officer stated.
Potential Solutions for Dermatology Services
In the meantime, another health department officer mentioned that dermatologists from a neighboring hospital may be scheduled to provide services at Pollachi Government Hospital once a week, which could help alleviate the current shortage.