Chennai Residents Grapple with Healthcare Gap After Maternity Hospital Demolition
Residents of Kodambakkam in Chennai are confronting a significant healthcare void following the demolition of a Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC)-run maternity hospital and the weekly closure of the nearest Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) on Sundays. This dual disruption leaves the community without immediate access to public healthcare services for an entire day each week, creating challenges for emergency care and routine medical needs.
Demolition of Vital Maternity Facility
The Kodambakkam maternity hospital, one of three facilities operated by the civic body, was recently razed after standing for decades. GCC executive engineer Senthil Kumar confirmed that the 20,000 square meter building was demolished over the past couple of weeks due to its advanced age and ongoing metro construction work in the area.
"The detailed project report for the new building has been prepared," Kumar stated. "However, the tender will be floated only after the elections." This timeline means residents must wait for political processes to conclude before reconstruction can begin, extending the period without this crucial healthcare resource.
Impact on Maternal and Community Health
The demolished hospital played a vital role in supporting women's health in the locality. Vasanthi Kannan, a Kodambakkam resident, highlighted the comprehensive services previously available: "Nurses regularly conducted home visits, monitored pregnancies, and provided essential antenatal care, including iron and folic acid supplements."
Kannan emphasized the urgency of rebuilding, stating, "The new hospital must be constructed without any delay after the elections." The loss of this facility forces pregnant women and new mothers to seek care elsewhere, disrupting continuity and potentially compromising health outcomes.
Compounded by UPHC Sunday Closures
The healthcare access crisis is exacerbated by the weekly closure of the local UPHC on Sundays. A nurse working at the UPHC on Corporation Colony Road, who requested anonymity, revealed, "We are operational only six days a week from 8am to 4pm." This leaves residents without any quick access to emergency care or basic medical services on Sundays.
Vasanthi Kannan expressed the community's frustration: "The UPHC in the locality is also closed on Sundays. So we don't have any quick access to emergency care." Patients now must travel to the government hospital in Saidapet or private medical centers, increasing both travel time and out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare.
Official Responses and Community Advocacy
City health officer M Jagadeesan explained the rationale behind the demolition, citing the building's old age and metro work requirements. He assured that construction of a new facility would commence after elections and promised to investigate the UPHC closure issue.
Local councillor Karthika Baskaran committed to addressing the problem, stating, "I will speak with the health department and ensure the UPHC functions on all days." Meanwhile, health activist Ameerkhan, convenor of People's Health Movement, emphasized the need for consistent healthcare access: "UPHCs function throughout the week. But steps have to be taken to extend intermediate care and not cut short of it."
The current situation highlights broader challenges in urban healthcare infrastructure, where facility closures and limited operating hours disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. As Chennai continues to develop, balancing infrastructure projects with uninterrupted healthcare access remains a critical concern for municipal authorities and community stakeholders alike.
