THE MADRAS MEDICAL MISSION'S INSTITUTE OF CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASES HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING ONE OF THE FINEST SPECIALITY HOSPITALS IN ASIA THE BUILDING ITSELF HAS ATTRACTED MUCH ATTENTION.
Combining the functional and the aesthetic, spread out on a sprawling expanse of 1.8 lakh sq.ft, the grey facade of the madras medical mission hospital. Which stepped terraces on both sides presents an unusual and stunning view as one approach the building. Around the side of an oval patch of lawn, you enter a huge portico, with massive pillars. The spacious, light-filled 10 b by, accessed through huge' doors, is the focal point of the hospital.
Architecture acquiesces to the changing dictates of time. So we have come a long way from days when hospitals meant dingy corridors, grimy rooms, and cheerless spaces that filled one with a sense of dread. The emphasis now seems to be on a heightened sense of aesthetics and an unconventional way of looking at a conventional space whose essential definition remains unchanged. The faint odor of antiseptic that permeates the air is testimony to that.
From being a vision in the minds of a few individuals, this organization has evolved into one of the finest specialty hospitals in Asia, and the team led by Dr K M Cherian treats patients from over 26 countries. What is remarkable is that this Institute is also accessible to a large number of patients who would normally be in no position to afford these facilities . The chequered history of the Madras Medical Mission goes back to 1982, when a few members of the Orthodox Syrian church came together to discuss a project that had been on the anvil for some time. Although at first the idea of a free mobile dispensary and then a small hospital was mooted, it was gradually agreed upon that it could eventually turn into a major cardio-vascular institute if sufficient funds could be raised. Dr K M Cherian was called upon to head the team of many talented professionals who came forward to JOIl1 the fold. The magnitude of such an endeavor - virtually starting from scratch - did not daunt the enthusiasm of the small team, who were determined to see their mission accomplished. The Institute started functioning on rented premises in 1987. Dr K M Cherian performed the first operation tor the Mission in June of that year, and since then there has been no looking back.
The first plan was drawn up by architect P S Govind Rao, but the final composition of the building, which took shape after many suggestions from the people involved were accommodated, differs much from the original plan. Doctors and other professionals stated their own requirements.
An unusual feature of this hospital is the presence of a chapel in the foyer. With stained glass panels all around depicting scene from the major religions of the world, the chapel has proved 0 be a source of strength and comfort to the many people who pass through the Institute, whatever their purpose might be. The reception and registration desks provide efficient, friendly service. There is also a bank, a flower shop and a playroom for children. The cartoon characters painted on the glass walls of the playroom, lend a note of cheer to the area and it is a haven for harassed parents. Every inch of the spacious foyer is scrupulously clean and ubiquitous, mop-wielding orderlies move silently about.
On going around the centrally air-conditioned interiors of the hospital, the initial impression of space and light and cleanliness is reinforced. Wide corridors allow easy access to various departments. The administrative and other offices are on the mezzanine with the computer and microbiology centers in the basement. Even the general wards are spacious and uncluttered. The kitchen functions as a separate unit away from the main building. The computer network connects all floors and nodal areas and will ultimately extend to all the rooms as well. This hospital boasts a computerized energy-saving system by which electricity connections are cut off when not in use or, in case of malfunction or voltage fluctuation. A thoughtful addition, invaluable in these times when we are threatened with imminent darkness if electricity is not conserved.
The five operating theaters are 'state-of-the-art' in every sense of the term and rather overwhelming, (at least for the uninitiated), in the shining intricacy of the equipment on display. Stainless steel walls allow for easy cleaning and the whole atmosphere is the last word in sophistication. A central sterilization plant in the basement is connected to the operation theaters by dumb-waiters which directly deliver sterilized equipment. Yet another dumb-waiter takes film from the catheterization laboratory to be processed. Every effort has been made to equip this Institute with the most advanced technology available as the most difficult of invasive procedures and surgeries are carried out here. Many people owe their new lease of life to the gifted doctors and paramedical staff who, for a brief period in time, literally hold those lives in their hands.
The auditorium is another noteworthy feature. Perhaps the largest of its kind in the country within a hospital, it has facilities like simultaneous translation and live demonstrations of surgical procedures, all with the aid of highly sophisticated audio equipment. Realizing that the horizons of knowledge and experience are limitless, the Mission places great importance on research and development operations which are carried on in collaboration with other institutions around the world. A continuing commitment to service is its greatest strength. According to Verghese Eapen, the Honorary Secretary of the Mission, 'We hope to be remembered as an organization that has pioneered a policy by which the poor can also have access to expensive cardiac treatment, in many cases completely free of cost.' The pioneering spirit that motivated the small group of people who have given unsparingly of themselves to see this institution grow and develop into what it is today, should hopefully continue to inspire those who come after.
