Madikeri: The delayed project of establishing a critical care centre at Madikeri District Hospital has picked up pace. The Rs 29.6 crore project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will extend emergency medical care services to the residents.In 2022-23, a critical care centre project was sanctioned for the district hospital in Madikeri. The centre was to be built on 45 cents within the hospital premises, with the project promising completion by this year. However, the project encountered a hurdle from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). According to archaeological guidelines, no construction work is permitted within 300 metres of protected monuments, and in this case, Madikeri Fort is located within 250 metres of the construction site. Consequently, the construction work was stopped abruptly due to this violation.Nevertheless, a non-objection certificate (NOC) has now been obtained from Delhi, and work has resumed. The critical care centre will have improved facilities to address emergency medical services. Alongside a 50-bed capacity building, the centre will have 10 ICU beds, six advanced intensive care units, 25 isolation beds, two dialysis units, two operation theatres, and a laboratory.“Due to technical issues, the project of the critical care centre was stopped abruptly. Nevertheless, the work has resumed now. A proposal to the state for Rs 6.5 crore funds has been forwarded for the purchase of equipment for the centre,” confirmed Dr Lokesh, dean of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KoIMS).100 vacancies at centre While the district hospital is being equipped with modern amenities, the acute staff shortage, with over 100 vacancies at the centre, is still hindering proper medical care for the citizens. However, Dr Lokesh confirmed that 19 doctors have been appointed on a temporary basis to address the shortage. “Priority will be given to attend to emergencies immediately. Further, the critical care centre will have ultrasound, ECO, dialysis, and other services readily available to the patients,” he added.
