By Health Minister Ma

Copyright thehindu

Five months after its inauguration, the pay ward facility at Kanniyakumari Government Medical College and Hospital (KKGMCH) in Asaripallam has become operational, with a dedicated fee structure for different categories of rooms.

The ward was inaugurated by Health Minister Ma. Subramanian in April 2025 at a cost of ₹1. 22 crore. The three-storey building has been designed to cater to patients who wish to avail better amenities on payment. It consists of 14 rooms with single bedded facility and one sharing room with double bedded facility, offering patients a choice based on their convenience and affordability.

Although several patients and their families had enquired about admission to the ward soon after its inauguration, the delay in finalising the tariff structure resulted in the facility remaining closed for five months.

The hospital administration has now fixed the tariff at ₹1,000 for the double bedded room and ₹1,200 for single bedded room. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a television unit, attached restrooms and separate beds for attenders, ensuring a more comfortable stay compared to the general wards.

A staff nurse, who was assigned at the reception of the pay ward said that the facility, which began its operation two days ago had already begun receiving several enquiries. “If more patients are admitted, additional nurses will be assigned to the ward,” she said.

P. Leo David, Dean, KKGMCH said that in order to create greater awareness about the new facility, signboards have been installed at the hospital premises. He added that within a short span, the ward had already attracted a significant number of enquiries. However, he clarified that charges for medicines, and other medical procedures would be levied separately and would not be included in the room rent.