Teen clinic and diabetes centre of excellence opened at Rajiv Gandhi GH

Chennai: Every Saturday, six specialists at the newly opened Teen Clinic at Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital attend to adolescents with diverse issues. These range from obesity or anorexia, sexual innocence or pregnancy, infections with STDs, alcohol or drug abuse, addiction to social media or gaming, complaints about pimples or trouble after piercing, stress over family issues or academics, or simply confusion about their changing anatomy.
Experts in general medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, nutrition, and dermatology/STIs are available between 8am and noon on Saturdays for these clinics, health minister Ma Subramanian said on Monday after inaugurating the clinic. Doctors from Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram clinics are also involved.

The team of doctors is dedicated exclusively to students between 10 and 18 years of age, who are referred to the hospital by school health teams. "Most patients who require glasses or surgeries get them done. But there are other requirements for adolescents, including psychological counselling," said general physician Dr T Shanthi, who now handles the clinic.
"While children up to the age of 12 go to the ICH, older ones feel awkward to go there. This clinic is an attempt to bridge that gap," she said. Doctors at the centre, set up at 12 lakh, will discuss maintaining menstrual hygiene and sexual health, preventing smoking, substance abuse, and internet addiction, and coping with stress, besides promoting exercise and a healthy diet.
The minister also opened a centre of excellence for diabetes at RGGGH. At least 14% of people with diabetes live in Tamil Nadu. An average of 700 outpatients come to RGGGH daily. More than 300 type 1 diabetics are given insulin vials and pens every month. The centre will provide all specialties, including cardiology, nephrology, ophthalmology, neurology, and vascular surgery under one roof at Tower Block 3.
This centre was set up with CSR funds from Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited and Novo Nordisk Education Foundation. "Patients diagnosed with diabetes under the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme or during health camps can go to PHCs for routine tests and to collect medicines," said Dr P Dharmarajan. "The new facility will conduct annual screenings for complications or offer medicines and treatment to slow down complications. We have facilities for treating foot ulcers. Those requiring hospital admissions, intensive care, or surgeries will be referred for inpatient services."