TAMBARAM : An advertisement board at the entrance of the Tambaram Taluk Government Hospital, more popularly known as Chromepet GH, has annoyed patients, visitors and residents nearby.

The advertisement board, put up by a private organisation, claims that it can provide cure for AIDS, cancer, kidney failure and placenta-related problems. It says that the ailments which could not be cured by western medical practices can be cured with the help of `navapaashaanam' and the Kerala-style oil-based physiotherapy.

Residents said they were aghast after noticing the board and took strong exception to the location as it would divert the attention of hundreds of poor people flocking the hospital for treatment.

V. Santhanam, president of the Chromepet New Colony Residents Welfare Society, said traditional Indian systems of medicine were welcome in view of their value and ability to cure ailments. Practitioners of such practices are also free to publicise their skills and advertise their profession. But the location of this advertisement was not in good taste, he said.

The nearby Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine was doing a yeoman service to thousands of people coming from far-off places and suffering from chest-related ailments and also those infected with HIV.

The service and care rendered to the patients there was simply unparalleled, Mr. Santhanam said, adding that such claims made by private organisations should be kept away from the eyes of those visiting government facilities.

When contacted, representatives of the organisation — Uni Care Hospital — said they had not committed anything unethical or illegal by installing the advertisement board.

The cure they offered for certain diseases incurable in the western medical practice did not go against any laid-down norms. Further, the board was not installed inside the hospital but on land belonging to the Highways Department, they added.

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