Thoothukudi: A construction worker sustained injuries after a portion of the corridor roof collapsed at the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital (TKMCH) on Thursday afternoon during ongoing renovation work. The incident occurred in front of the gastroenterology ward of the 35-year-old building, which was under renovation after patients were relocated to another area.
According to hospital sources, a 10-by-12-foot section of the roof suddenly gave way, falling on a worker engaged in repair activities. He was immediately rushed to the hospital’s emergency ward, where doctors confirmed that his condition remains stable.
The incident has reignited concerns among doctors and hospital staff regarding the Public Works Department’s (PWD) alleged negligence in maintaining the ageing infrastructure of TKMCH. Medical professionals have accused the department of displaying an “indifferent attitude” despite repeated complaints and warnings about the deteriorating condition of the facilities.
Speaking to The Hindu, a senior doctor said, “The drainage channels within the TKMCH campus are half-filled with silt. We sent multiple reminders to desilt the sewage channels before the onset of the northeast monsoon, but no action has been taken. The construction of the sanitary complex near the obstetrics and gynaecology ward has been dragging on for more than six months.”
Doctors also pointed out that leakages, unsafe structures, and overgrown vegetation continue to plague the hospital. They noted that the 260-bed ward and dialysis unit buildings are fragile and need urgent demolition, while roofs beneath toilet areas have been leaking for months. “Trees are literally growing on the hospital buildings,” another doctor remarked.
The hospital authorities further urged the concerned officials to ensure that the newly installed lifts operate safely and facilitate smooth patient transfers between wards and operation theatres.
Additionally, doctors stressed that the renovation of the hospital auditorium, being funded through ₹1 crore under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of a thermal power generation unit, must adhere to high-quality construction standards to avoid similar accidents in the future.
The roof collapse has sparked fresh calls for a comprehensive structural audit and urgent repairs at TKMCH, with doctors warning that continued neglect could endanger both staff and patients.
