Thoothukudi: Dr Uma, IAS, Director of the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project (TNHSP), inspected healthcare services and public health activities in Thoothukudi during a visit to the Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital (TKMCH).
During her visit, Dr Uma reviewed emergency medical services, cardiac care, arrangements at the Thaimaman Thanga Mothira Thittam (TMTMT) distribution centre and ongoing measures to control communicable diseases in the district.
Emergency care facilities inspected
At the Tamil Nadu Accident and Emergency Care Initiative (TAEI) ward, Dr Uma reviewed patient management and sought details about patients leaving the hospital against medical advice (AMA) and those leaving without informing the hospital authorities.
She instructed the hospital administration to take steps to reduce such instances. She also inspected the Red Zone display board, daily patient admissions and staff availability in the emergency ward.
The procedure followed for gastric lavage in cases involving poisoning was also reviewed, along with the availability of 108 ambulance services.
The Medical College Dean was advised to inspect the emergency department after 7 p.m. on a regular basis. Dr Uma also instructed the hospital administration not to encourage the use of private ambulances within the hospital campus.
Cardiac care services reviewed
Dr Uma subsequently reviewed the functioning of the cardiology department and its treatment data.
During August 2026, the department treated 54 patients with acute cardiac conditions, comprising 38 STEMI and 16 NSTEMI cases. No deaths were reported among either category during the month.
Thrombolysis was administered to 22 patients. Under the hub-and-spoke model, 19 STEMI patients were referred to TKMCH from spoke hospitals.
The cardiology department also carried out 108 procedures during August, including 90 coronary angiograms (CAG) and 18 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. Seven of the PCI procedures were primary PCI interventions.
TMTMT distribution centre inspected
Dr Uma also inspected the Thaimaman Thanga Mothira Thittam distribution centre functioning at TKMCH.
She reviewed the waiting area, the room where the gold rings are kept and the CCTV connectivity at the distribution point. The arrangements were checked against the standard operating procedures issued by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
She also instructed officials to make arrangements for live streaming of the distribution programme.
Dengue and seasonal disease surveillance
The TNHSP Director reviewed block-wise dengue data for Thoothukudi district covering the previous three years and noted the declining trend in reported cases.
Between January and September, the district recorded 558 dengue cases in 2024. The number declined to 208 in 2025 and further to 154 in 2026, representing a reduction of around 72 per cent compared with 2024.
No dengue-related deaths have been reported in the district so far in 2026.
The review showed a reduction in cases in several areas. In Thoothukudi block, cases declined from 142 in 2024 to 25 in 2026. In Tiruchendur, the number fell from 90 to 23, while Thoothukudi Corporation recorded a decline from 113 to 28.
The district’s surveillance for scrub typhus was also reviewed. Of the 70 samples tested across the district during the previous 15 days, six were found to be positive.
Dr Uma appreciated the work of the field teams and instructed officials to continue efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sources and strengthen vector-control activities.
Field visit to fever-affected family’s residence
As part of the field inspection, Dr Uma visited the residence of a 15-year-old boy in Sundaramapuram, Ward 8, within the Tharuvai Road Urban Primary Health Centre area of Thoothukudi Corporation.
The boy had recently returned home after receiving treatment for fever at a private hospital. Dr Uma enquired about the period during which he had been admitted and reviewed the dengue prevention measures taken at the residence.
She inspected both the interior and surroundings of the house for possible mosquito breeding sources. No mosquito larvae were found during the inspection.
Dr Uma advised the boy to maintain adequate hydration and consume at least three litres of fluids a day.