SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM MCH&RC), Kattankulathur, today launched its new layout for  its website. This was done on the occasion of its Founder’s Day. The event held at the hospital premises was presided over by SRM Group of Institution’s founder-chancellor Dr T R Paarivendhar, MP. Apart from launching the website, three centres of excellence were inaugurated by SRMIST’s pro-chancellor (in Academics) Dr P Sathyanarayanan.

The three centres of excellence are: division of cleft lift palate and crania facial anomalies in the department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. This is partnered with  ‘SMILE TRAIN’, a US-based charity organisation for the treatment of cleft lift palate defects in children free of cost; the department of E&T has started a new division of neurotology and vestibular laboratory. This is jointly operated by ENT, neurology, audiology, vestibular therapy, and physical medicine rehabilitation. Dealing with patient vertigo and complex headaches. The third centre of excellence is the clinical trial research unit. SRM hospital was selected by ICMR for the conduct of Covaxin clinical trial. It is the only hospital in Tamil Nadu to have achieved this distinction. All three phases of the trial were conducted here and the new centre has been constructed and that was inaugurated on August 24, 2021.

Present for the occasion were members of the Buddhists Tzu Chi Foundation, Tzu Chi University, SRMIST’s vice-chancellor Dr C Muthamizhchelvan, pro-VC (Medical & Health Sciences) Lt Col Dr A Ravi Kumar, registrar Dr S Ponnusamy, dean (Medical) Dr A Sundaram and medical superintendent Dr K Thangaraj.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr T R Paarivendhar said, “This institution should excel among all others in India. Our aim should be to provide maximum free service for patients. This hospital has made a big change under the leadership of its Pro chancellor (Academics) Dr P Sathyanarayanan. Under me it was only a medical college, now it has grown to become a state-of-the-art hospital.”

“This is an important milestone in the history of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre. SRM has always been known for imparting education and all that is related to it,” expressed Dr Sathyanarayanan. He urged doctors to take up more research so that they can treat patients better. “Our motto should be ‘Corporate level of healthcare for poor patients’. All patients will be treated with due respect and be guided with whatever doubts they have.”

Praising the good relationship between Tzu Chi University and SRM he mentioned, “This is only the beginning of a good relationship between SRM and Taiwan University. We would like to reciprocate it in some other way.”

SRM MCH&RC is a tertiary care teaching hospital attached to SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST). The hospital has been existing since 2005. In 2011, post-graduate courses in all specialties in medicare were started. At present, the hospital has a bed strength of 1,590 in various specialties. It is located in the university campus and meets all the regulations of the National Accreditation Board for hospitals and healthcare providers. It comprises 351 doctors including specialties, and 574 nurses in the paramedical administrative staff. There are 45 departments in broad and super specialties. On average, 1,500– 1,600 patients attend in the OP.

This hospital was at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and 3,111 patients were treated from April 2020 till date. About 13,165 OP patients were screened during this period. The hospital has specialties to conduct through telemedicine centres. Although this is the largest hospital located on the national highway NH 45 in the outskirts of Chennai, it is located well inside the institute’s premises.

Dr Sathyanarayanan continued, “During the second wave of COVID-19, patients in the hospital were fully sketched and shortage of oxygen made matters worse. At that time, a large consignment of 162 oxygen concentrators was donated by Tzu Chi University and the charity foundation from Taiwan. The next lot of five ventilators are being delivered shortly (total cost `1.75 crore). This great deed of compassion and donation that we received is being recorded publically by SRMIST Chancellor who offered his thanks to Tzu Chi University for their generosity. The global donations by Tzu Chi University was webcast to the audience during the programme.”

The event ended with the celebration of the birthday of Dr Paarivendhar and the symbolic cake cutting ceremony.