Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100515460900.htm

Tamil Nadu

Old age home gets medical care centre

Staff Reporter

Physiotherapy unit also inaugurated

INAUGURATED: L.K. Tripathy, Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, at the Geriatric Medical Centre at War Widows Welfare Association in Chennai. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: The residents of Nimmadhi, an old age home run by the War Widows Association, now have a special geriatric medical centre and a physiotherapy unit.

The centre, which was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy on Wednesday, has a geriatric consultant, a physiotherapist, a two-bed ward and a tie-up with the Andhra Mahila Sabha Hospital for more serious cases. Its facilities will also be available to senior citizens in neighbouring areas for a nominal cost.

The physiotherapy unit has been sponsored by Susheela Rajendran, president of the War Widows Association. She donated Rs. 1.1 lakh from the proceeds of the recent sale of her Oriya tribal style paintings. She says the home brings peace of mind to its inmates and grants "nimmadhi" to the many people whose gifts make it possible.

The home sits on five grounds of land leased from the Government. As the lease is expiring, Mr. Tripathy promised it would be renewed quickly. He called for more organised geriatric health care across the State. "Whenever I visit a village, my eyes are drawn to the destitute aged who find their only shelter in the village temple," he said.