Kochi : Construction of the Rs 8-crore, three-storeyed block at Tripunithura Taluk Hospital has stalled after Nabard funds lapsed because of delays, inconveniencing hundreds of patients who visit the hospital daily.




The tender was first issued in 2021, but work began only three years later. The project was scheduled for completion by Jan 2025, but only the ground floor has been constructed.




The hospital also faces a severe staff shortage and lacks essential services. Nearly 3,000 patients use its outpatient facilities, but posts for specialists in ENT and ophthalmology remain vacant. “The posts had remained vacant after doctors were transferred. Only four doctors are available to manage casualty services against the required six,” a senior official with the hospital said.




The official added that the absence of a forensic surgeon is delaying autopsies. “At present we do not have two major posts — forensic surgeon and general surgeon,” he said.








An unusable ambulance is parked in front of the mortuary, while other equipment and infrastructure are also in poor condition.




MLA Deepak Joy said he has raised the issues with health minister K Muraleedharan and sought the creation of a forensic surgeon’s post. He said govt would take proactive steps to fill other vacancies. “Given the unavailability of forensic surgeons, it is very difficult for govt to create the post of a forensic surgeon in the hospital,” the MLA added.




Joy said efforts have begun to complete the new block. With Nabard funds having lapsed, alternative funding would be required. Former MLA K Babu has allotted Rs 3.5 crore for the hospital’s development, while Joy said he would provide MLA funds and Eden has promised financial assistance.




Hospital management committee member C Vinod said facilities provided through corporate social responsibility funds and govt schemes remain unused. “A Rs 32-lakh solar panel unit installed around 12 years ago had not generated any electricity. Of the hospital’s two water connections, one is dilapidated, posing a risk of drainage water entering the tank through leaks,” he said.