While several government departments struggle for space and often operate from rented premises, residents and activists have raised concern over the underutilisation of two government hospital campuses along the GST Road in Tambaram and Chromepet.
The Government Leprosy Rehabilitation Promotion Unit in Tambaram, near the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), has been functioning for over three decades.
The multi-storeyed facility, spread across a large campus, caters to patients from the neighbouring districts. However, a visit to the premises indicates that occupancy remains low, with fewer than 10 inmates at a time, though officials say there are “13 to 15 inmates”.
Senior social activist Santhanam questioned the use of such a large facility in a prime locality.
“If the number of patients is low, they can be shifted to another centre. The space can then be used for emergency health services or other government needs,” he said, adding that the hospital was not clearly visible from the arterial road.
