The Tamil Nadu Health Systems Projects (TNHSP) has earmarked Rs 230 crore for the second phase of upgradation and computerization of Taluk and District hospitals in the state. The move is to obtain accreditation for these state establishments from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals (NABH), according to Dr D Gurusamy, chief executive officer of TNHSP.

Two hundred and twenty six hospitals from 26 districts have been selected for upgradation and the work is expected to be completed by March 2010.

In the first phase, which started in 2006-07, there were 35 hospitals from five districts for upgradation with an estimated expenditure of Rs.50 crore. Out of this, work in 26 hospitals have been completed and nine are in progress. "Now we are in the process of getting accreditation from NABH and hoping that in another nine to ten months it will be realized", he said.

The government of Tamil Nadu signed a memorandum of understanding with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to attain accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals (NABH) for 12 government hospitals, early this year.

While interacting with Pharmabiz Dr. Gurusamy said most of the work in the district hospitals of Kanyakumari, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts have been completed and they were provided with excellent infrastructure facilities, buildings, equipment and testing labs.

He said considering the importance of providing emergency ambulance service, 187 ambulances with medical equipment were purchased and supplied to the Emergency Management Research Institute (EMRI) of 15 districts with aid from world Bank. The World Bank had approved the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Projects, and a total of Rs.600 crore were allotted for various health projects in the state and the amount would be re-imbursed in a phased manner.

"In the state there are 75 CEMON (Comprehensive Emergency Maternal Obstetric and Newborn Care) hospitals managing exclusively mother and infants. There is a severe shortage of doctors, nurses and medical equipments in these hospitals affecting the performances of the hospitals. Measures will be taken to address these issues shortly", he said.

Specialists like obstetricians, anesthetists, paediatricians, nurses, equipment, and blood bank facilities will be provided to these institutions. Efforts will be made to improve overall efficiency of these hospitals with high level of transparency. This will enable the hospitals to compete with the private hospitals in providing quality health services to the people of the state, he added.