CM Stalin to inaugurate Katpadi’s first full-fledged government hospital

Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan inspecting the new government hospital on Friday. Vellore Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi is also seen. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate Katpadi’s first full-fledged 60 bedded-government taluk hospital at Serkadu village in Vellore district, on June 25 as final touches are being given to the multi-crore facility. Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), which executed the ₹14.30 crore project, said that Mr. Stalin would open the new hospital during his visit to the district.

The Chief Minister will visit Ranipet, Vellore and Tirupattur districts on June 25-26, where he will handover government welfare assistance to beneficiaries and review ongoing works.

Improved amenities

“The new government hospital has modern facilities like ECG, CT scan and surgery theatres. It also has round-the-clock power supply backed by diesel generators,” K. Sundar, Assistant Engineer (AE), PWD (Katpadi), told The Hindu.

Residents said that the hospital will be a lifeline for people in the region with over 40 farming villages because currently they have to travel at least 15 km to reach Government Medical College Hospital in Adukkamparai village, on the outskirts of Vellore Corporation limits, for advance treatment.

“Many senior citizens in Katpadi now depend on private hospitals for treatment, especially during emergencies. The new government hospital with better facilities will provide us cost-effective treatment and can be easily accessed,” said K. Sumathi, a resident.

At present, Katpadi has a decades-old Primary Health Centre (PHC) that functions between 8 a.m and 3 p.m on all days except on Sundays. The centre has a duty doctor and a few medical staff.

On an average, the centre gets 500-700 out-patients every day. Most of the cases are referred to Government Medical College Hospital. Spread on 15 acres, the new facility will have separate sections for cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, nephrology and obstetrics and gynaecology.

Separate wards for emergency and accident-related cases, cancer treatment, sedation and x-ray rooms are also a part of the new facility. Five rooms have been allotted to treat out-patients.

Among civic amenities, the new hospital has two lifts for patients, staff and doctors. Each floor has a drinking water facility and separate washrooms. The entire premises has a rainwater harvesting system and solar panels to provide power supply for lights in the premises.

Separate parking areas for cars, two-wheelers are also provided. CCTV cameras have also been installed for surveillance.

Bus facilities to the new hospital will be increased to provide easy access for visitors, health officials said.

Published - June 15, 2025 01:06 am IST