95% of work on new ₹110-crore hospital block in Tiruchi GH completed: Minister Arunraj

Health Minister G. Arunraj along with HR&CE Minister S. Ramesh taking stock of the status of the new six-storey super-speciality block at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Tiruchi on Sunday. | Photo Credit: R. Vengadesh Nearly 95% of the work on the new six-storey super-speciality block, being constructed at a cost of ₹110 crore on the premises of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Tiruchi, has been completed, Minister for Health and Family Welfare K.G. Arunraj said on Sunday.Speaking to reporters after inspecting the work, he said the facility would be opened to the public soon. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was expected to inaugurate the new block, he added.Referring to healthcare infrastructure projects announced for Tiruchi district in the recently concluded Budget session of the State Assembly, Mr. Arunraj said 104 announcements worth ₹102.05 crore had been made under the Health Department.The projects include a new nursing college at a cost of ₹47.21 crore, a maternal and child healthcare building at Srirangam GH for ₹12 crore, a dedicated neonatal unit for low birth weight new-borns at ₹2.8 crore, new buildings for the sub-health centres at Amayapuram and Karikali, at a cost of ₹90 lakh, and an additional pharmaceutical warehouse in Tiruchi for ₹6 crore.Responding to complaints about inadequate amenities at MGMGH, particularly the poor maintenance of toilets in the maternity ward, Mr. Arunraj said sanitation workers employed through outsourcing agencies had been irregular in reporting for duty at several places. Steps had been taken to monitor their attendance strictly and ensure that they reported for work regularly, he said.On the shortage of nurses, he said appointment orders had been issued to fill 4,724 vacancies of nurses across Tamil Nadu through a transparent interview process.Acknowledging a considerable shortage of super-speciality doctors, he said in the Budget, an announcement has been made to create and fill 284 super-speciality medical posts. An official order would be issued soon.Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Ramesh, Collector Pratik Tayal, MLA Navalpattu S. Viji and MGMGH Dean S. Kumaravel were present. Published - November 01, 2026 07:33 pm IST