New ’jail ward’ at Wenlock awaits NHM nod

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 1, 2016: The ’jail ward’ of the District Wenlock Hospital, where prisoners are housed during serious illness is sans basic amenities, it has been planned to demolish the same to make way for a new building if the proposal is approved by the  NHM, National Health Mission.

A proposal to construct a new jail ward at a cost of Rs 1.79 core at the hospital has been sent to the government. A proposal also has been sent to the Central government for funds sanction under the NHM.

Wenlock Hospital superintendent and district surgeon H R Rajeshwari Devi had submitted a proposal of Rs 1.5 crore for the construction of the jail ward in January, 2015. Later, a new proposal of Rs 1.79 crore was submitted to the NHM.


"Wenlock hospital has now submitted a new revised proposal of Rs 1.79 crore. We are expecting funds from the NHM to construct a new block, which will house a jail ward, medical records department and a medical ward too," said Dr Rajeshwari. She said that a request also has been submitted to the prisons department to sanction funds for construction of the jail ward inside Wenlock Hospital. However, the department has not replied positively. Hence, she said, "We are awaiting funds from NHM to take up the project."

DK District in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai held a meeting to discuss the development of Wenlock Hospital and Government Lady Goschen Hospital in the city. A discussion was also held regarding the renovation of the 167-year-old building of Wenlock Hospital, which is now in a pathetic condition.

The building not only leaks during the rains, but also lacks many basic facilities, and houses all types of causes for bad sanitation. A proposal of Rs 12.5 crore has been submitted to the government through Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project (KHSDRP) for repair of the old building. Works will commence if the proposal is approved by the government, the District Surgeon said.