Chennai GH Gets ₹42 Lakh Radio Frequency Ablation Machine

Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare,
Thiru. Ma. Subramanian, Hon’ble Judge of the Madras High Court,
Thiru. S. S. Sundar, inaugurated a Radio Frequency Ablation Machine worth ₹42 lakh at Rajiv Gandhi Government Medical College Hospital, Chennai.

Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Thiru. Ma. Subramanian, and Hon’ble Judge of the Madras High Court, Thiru. S. S. Sundar, today (15.02.2025) inaugurated a Radio Frequency Ablation Machine worth ₹42 lakh under the AGOT (Government Public Prosecutor and Government Standing Counsel) fund at Rajiv Gandhi Government Medical College Hospital, Chennai, making it available for public use.

During a press briefing, the Hon’ble Minister stated:

• The ₹42 lakh Radio Frequency Ablation Machine was installed at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, to provide free treatment for cancer and chronic pain.
• Since 2013, chronic pain management has been conducted in the hospital’s anesthesia department. Chronic pain refers to persistent pain lasting over three months, affecting mobility, sleep, and daily activities.
• Radio Frequency Ablation is an advanced treatment that provides pain relief without side effects or invasive procedures, benefiting 50-60 patients per month.
• The treatment is free at the government hospital, whereas private hospitals charge ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 per patient.
• The equipment was funded by AGOT, with support from the judiciary, for public benefit.

Leprosy Awareness and Screening

• A statewide Leprosy Awareness Campaign was conducted from 30.01.2025 to 15.02.2025.
• Leprosy screening was conducted from 13.02.2025 to 28.02.2025, covering 133 districts, 27 urban areas, 3,42,241 households, and benefiting 10,67,675 people.
• Screening teams visited homes to identify symptoms such as numbness, ulcers, and deformities for early diagnosis and treatment.

Anti-Rabies & Anti-Venom Treatment at Periyar Nagar GH

• Previously, rabies and snakebite treatments were available only at district hospitals, government medical colleges, and select centers.
• Now, 2,286 primary health centers stock ASV (anti-snake venom) and ARV (anti-rabies vaccine) to ensure availability.
• Periyar Nagar Government Hospital is being upgraded to a 500-bed facility.

Development of Rajiv Gandhi GH, Chennai

• In 2021, outpatient footfall was 8,000 per day; now, it has increased to 19,000 due to improved services.
• Government hospitals are preferred by the public for quality and free treatment.

The event was attended by Hon’ble Justice Thiru. Lingeswaran, Director of Medical Education Dr. Sengumani, Dean of Chennai Medical College Dr. Dharanirajan, Director of Anesthesiology Dr. Senthilkumar, senior officials, and medical faculty.

Press Release: Director, Information & Public Relations Department, Chennai-9