New blocks of Thrissur's Gandhigram hospital to be inaugurated on Aug 1

Koratty: Health Minister Veena George will inaugurate the newly constructed accommodation block for inmates and a healthcare training centre at the Government Gandhigram Skin Disease Hospital in Thirumudikkunnu, Koratty, on August 1 at 4.30 PM, said  MLA Saneeshkumar Joseph.

The building meant for male inmates was opened earlier this month without a formal ceremony, owing to the dire condition of their previous shelter, which was a severely dilapidated structure prone to collapse due to widespread leakage. The shift was made urgently to ensure safety. Although construction of the women’s accommodation block has also been completed, it is yet to be opened due to the pending installation of support facilities. Authorities are now working to make these arrangements before the official inauguration.

The two blocks, constructed at a cost of Rs. 17 crore, are aimed at consolidating the hospital’s scattered infrastructure into a unified complex. The new facility houses a consultation room for doctors, nursing station, mini operation theatre, laboratory, conference hall, mini theatre, kitchen and dining area.

Construction was completed in February, but the handover was delayed due to the wait for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire and Rescue Services and the availability of the minister for the inauguration.

Currently, women inmates continue to reside in the old building called Ammaveedu.

Meanwhile, the minister will also inaugurate the Human Resource Training Centre for the Health and Family Welfare Department, also built on the hospital campus. Constructed at a cost of Rs.10 crore, the facility aims to train health department officials from the state’s central zone. An additional Rs.2.5 crore was spent on a dedicated accommodation block for trainees.

Although the centre was initially announced with a two-year completion target, it has taken more than a decade to materialise. Built on 10 acres carved out of the hospital’s 118-acre land, the training centre has faced criticism for the long delay in its commissioning. One major hurdle is that the facility remains non-operational due to the lack of staff. Vacancies still need to be created and appointments made. Until then, training continues to be conducted in Thiruvananthapuram or Kozhikode, depending on availability.