Govt hospital wards off trauma while stitching health with care

R Mohankumar was being wheeled down the hallway when the native of Telungupalayam kept gazing at the portraits of leaders, positive quotes, and interpretations of the Thirukkural that adorned the walls.

-  R KIRUBAKARAN

The 33year-old, who was diagnosed with a Bilateral Avascular Necrosis hip, snapped out of his trance only after he was hurtled into the operation theatre, where he later underwent a bilateral total hip replacement surgery.

Having spent four months in the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology ward, Mohankumar says his recovery was king size. "We have never seen such facilities in a government hospital. I had to spend most of my time in bed because I had difficulty sitting up. The hospital provided me with an alpha bed. This is not available even at private hospitals. Both treatment and the hospital's ambience aided my fast recovery," he said.

Located on the Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital (CMCH) campus, the orthopedics and traumatology department on the first floor offers a distinct environment, where the exterior and the facilities are designed to impress. Creating an impression is the last thing that people expect from government hospitals, quips institute Director Dr S Vetrivel Chezhian, and the show-runner of the department. The idea of revamping the space struck the doctor in 2019.