Madras Medical College

Surat was where the English established a trading post in 1600 and the next British settlement was in Machilipatnam. In both sick were tended in ships. But it was only with the founding of madras in 1639 and the development of English township Fort St. George by 1640 the thought of building a hospital on land arose. And so Madras got its first Western style hospital in 1664 due to the efforts of Sir Edward Winter the governor in a house in Fort St. George, the forerunner of the last Indian health system. From the records, it is found that this hospital was founded during 1664 and subsequently turned into Garrison Hospital in 1814. During 1835, the hospital was developed towards the academic line and started the Medical School.In 1842, the main building was constructed in the shape of capital letter H. Simultaneously the Medical School was upgraded into Madras Medical College and started functioning from 1850. As the number of patients grew the hospital was expanded and modernised to a great extent to between 1928 and 1938. Dr. A.L.Mudaliar who was appointed as the first Indian Principal of Madras Medical College said. ?The Madras General Hospital now presents an inspiring pile of buildings of which Madras may well be proud and which delights the eye of every professional visitor to this city?. Since 1935 various departments were created and necessary buildings were constructed for accommodating the departments and the maintenance is being taken care of by the Public Works Department. Since the main building was aged about 163years, it was found to be structurally unsafe and hence it was decided to dismantle the old building, and in its place, two magnificent tower blocks have been constructed at a cost of about Rs. 105 crores. They incorporate modern and latest facilities of patient friendly in kind, which are on par with some of the hi-tech multi-speciality corporate hospitals in Tamilnadu and Neighboring States. The two Tower blocks are constructed with interconnecting facilities, spacious Corridor and high ceiling, spacious wards with modern facilities, spacious O.P. units, Modern operation theatres, central laboratories, etc. Various units are so arranged as to avoid criss-cross movement of patients for consultation, diagnosis, laboratories and treatment. gh Some of the Structural Aspects and special features of the recently constructed Tower Blocks The total Plinth area of Tower Block-I is 31559 sq.meter and Tower Block-II is 33304 sq.meter. Since Chennai comes under seismic zone III, the structure is designed considering the seismic forces. A framed structure with pile foundation is used in these superstructures. The Tower Blocks are constructed with structural glazing, Aluminium composite panel cladding and Novakote finish.Ready Mix Concrete(RMC) in the Tower Blocks ensures required grade of concrete, speedy construction, control on water-cement ratio, environment friendly better finish of concrete due to pumpable mix, less segregation, better supervision of concrete and problems due to constrains of space at site is also totally eliminated. The ground level is raised upto 1.40m(4'7) around these blocks so as to avoid water stagnation and to allow gravity flow of rainwater. Modern operation theatres have been constructed with special type of flooring, stainless steel wall cladding and stainless steel false ceiling. Three numbers of staircases and eight numbers of lifts are provided for each tower to have easy mobility. A ramp with access to all floors is also provided. A separate fire escape staircase and garbage disposal lift are provided at the rear side of the building. Modern and scientifically designed lighting is provided for interior and exterior of the building. A 1000KVA generator with automatic main failure panel has been installed in building. A modern A.C. plant is installed to provide air conditioning arrangements to the needy parts of Tower Block I and II such as operation theatres, ICU's,IMCU's,blood bank,special wards. A modern Digital EPABX system has been installed with battery power backup.?