Panoor: The long-neglected condition of the Taluk Hospital is finally receiving much-needed attention. The OP (Outpatient) wing, which had fallen into disrepair with moss-covered walls and persistent water seepage, has now been restored. The walls have been freshly painted and the consultation rooms for doctors, along with spaces for nurses and other staff, have been given a complete facelift. Broken and dislodged floor tiles are also set to be replaced shortly.

The hospital, which sees a footfall of over 5,000 patients every day, had been in a pitiable state. Malayala Manorama had earlier reported on its deteriorating condition. Following this, Panoor Municipal Chairman K P Hashim took it upon himself to initiate renovation works, despite the existence of a dedicated fund for hospital development that remains unutilized due to technical reasons.

“The restoration of the OP wing and ensuring it’s safe for the public is progressing steadily. Although there’s a fund already set aside for the hospital’s development, we haven’t been able to access it due to procedural hurdles. Given the situation, I decided to move forward using my own means. The estimated cost of the work is around ₹2 lakh, which I’m covering through a personal loan and by using my official honorarium,” said K P Hashim.