Establishment of Intensive Care Units in Three Government Hospitals of Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Government has announced an extensive expansion of the healthcare infrastructure to provide immediate and early detection facilities across the state. Starting from the 2021-22 fiscal year, the Tamil Nadu Government has issued orders for the establishment of 28 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and 20 district-integrated public health laboratories (DIPHLs). These projects are currently in various stages of implementation.

In three government hospitals—Perambalur (Perambalur District), Vaniyambadi (Tirupathur District), and Anaikattu (Vellore District)—50-bed intensive care units will be established at an estimated cost of Rs. 23.75 crore each, totaling Rs. 71.25 crore. Additionally, new district-integrated public health laboratories will be established at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.25 crore each, totaling Rs. 6.25 crore, in the government hospitals of Ulundurpet (Kallakurichi District), Kambam (Theni District), Perambalur (Perambalur District), Tharangambadi (Nagapattinam District), and Karaikudi (Sivaganga District), as ordered by the Tamil Nadu Government.

These Intensive Care Units will be equipped with essential facilities for critical and emergency care, including emergency rooms, intensive care maintenance units, specialized isolation wards, modern operation theatres, and high-capacity oxygen support systems. Each unit will include 50 beds exclusively for intensive care, ventilators, ABG analyzers, hemodialysis machines, anesthesia workstations, advanced operation theatres, and various other equipment to provide quality medical services to patients. These units are equipped to provide emergency services at their respective hospitals, thus reducing the need for patient transfers to higher medical centers and aiding in life-saving efforts. It is expected that these units will significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rates.

With this initiative, the government hospitals at Vaniyambadi, Perambalur, and Anaikattu will benefit. Currently, Vaniyambadi Government Hospital provides medical services to approximately 2,511 outpatients daily and 5,310 inpatients monthly, while Perambalur Government Hospital serves about 1,632 outpatients daily and 14,250 inpatients monthly. Anaikattu Government Hospital serves 1,057 outpatients and 37 inpatients monthly. These new Intensive Care Units are expected to enhance the range of healthcare services provided at these government hospitals, facilitating specialized care.

Additionally, the newly established district-integrated public health laboratories will enhance disease detection capabilities within these hospitals, focusing on screening diseases and providing specialty services. These labs will feature fully automated analyzers, cell counters, ELISA machines, and BSL-II cabinets to strengthen disease detection, provide accurate diagnoses, and improve disease monitoring. Samples collected from across the district will be tested and analyzed in these labs to help identify the root causes of public health issues and enhance healthcare provision capabilities.

Additional Chief Secretary,
Department of Health and Family Welfare

Issued by: Director, Information and Public Relations