The work to construct a 50-bed critical care block at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMCRI), Kathirkamam, was inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Thursday, in the presence of local legislator and senior officials.

The project taken up under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at a cost of ₹16.63 crore was aimed at enhancing the capability of the medical college to treat critically-ill patients. The block, coming up on an area of 46,945 square feet, will be provided with Intensive Care Units, advanced life support systems and specialised infrastructure to provide comprehensive care to critically sick patients, said an official release. 

The PM-ABHIM scheme follows a 60:40 funding pattern between the Central and State governments. Three more 50-bedded critical care units will come up at the Government General Hospitals in Puducherry and Karaikal, and the Community Health Centre at Karikkalampakkam in Puducherry. K. S. P. Ramesh, MLA, Jayant Kumar Ray, Secretary, Health, Shamimunisa Begam, Deputy Director, Public Health and C. Udayashankar, Director of IGMCRI were among those present at the inaugural.