Plea to start work on establishing Siddha Medical University

TIRUNELVELI: The Mass Movement for Siddha Medical University has appealed to the State Government to immediately start the work on establishing Siddha Medical University here as directed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Amalanathan, movement coordinator, and S. Ramaguru, organiser and formerly Dean, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, said the existing Siddha Medical College, which was established 50 years ago in temporary buildings on three acres of land in Palayamkottai as a stopgap arrangement, was still functioning from the same premises as the official machinery was not at all interested in shifting it to a spacious and accessible campus.

Consequently, the funds being allotted for additional buildings and new departments could not be put to use due to space crunch.

After repeated appeals from budding Siddha doctors and Siddha practitioners, the State Government issued an Order on January 23, 2012 for establishing Siddha Medical University in Tirunelveli on a new campus.

When the State Government allotted Rs. 8 crore for constructing new buildings in the Government Siddha Medical College here, the college administration attempted to demolish some of the old buildings for constructing the new ones though the old structures are in excellent condition.

“Hence, a few students approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that restrained on April 22, 2016 the college administration from demolishing the old buildings. Moreover, the court also directed the official machinery to identify a new sprawling land for Siddha Medical University, appoint a Special Officer for the proposed institution and start the construction work within six months. However, no step has been taken by the government even after six months, much to the disappointment of the people here,” said Dr. Ramaguru, an orthopaedic surgeon.

Since further delay in identifying the land for establishing Siddha Medical University would force the official machinery to shift the proposed institution to some other district, the Collector should expedite the process of identifying the land accessible to all sections of society for creating the university campus as the district was known for its herbal wealth, he said.

Dr. Ramaguru said the State Government should execute the directions of the court without further delay as it would ensure excellent medical assistance to the people.

Prof. Ponnuraj and Prof. Somasundaram were also present.

Source: The Hindu