Date:24/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/24/stories/2006112402031900.htm

Business

MIMS to set up satellite hospital at Kottakkal

Staff Reporter

Vayalar Ravi lays the foundation stone today

KOZHIKODE: The Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) will set up a satellite hospital at Kottakkal as the first in the series of such health centres planned in other parts in Malabar.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, MIMS chairman Azad Moopen said the hospital on the National Highway with an investment of Rs.25 crore earmarked in the first phase would have 150 beds. More than 600 persons would be provided employment.

Basic departments such as general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, and ENT would be provided.

MIMS is essentially a referral hospital where stress will be on advanced tertiary care procedures for serious medical problems. MIMS, set up five years back with Rs.50 crore NRI investment, has to a great extent succeeded in reaching good health-care to the people of Malabar. It has also achieved the rare distinction of being the first hospital in the country to get the accreditation from National Accreditation Board of Hospitals.

Indian Union Muslim League leader Panakkad Muhammedali Shihab Thangal will inaugurate the programme to held in Kottakkal on November 25. Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi will lay the foundation stone. Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy will preside over the function.

Dr. Mooppen said it was observed in the last five years since MIMS was set up that many cases that came to the hospital could be treated in smaller hospitals in the neighbouring districts where proper facilities were provided. It was with this objective that the satellite hospital was being set up where most primary and secondary medical care could be assured.

Such health centres were planned at Wayanad and at a place in the border of Kozhikode and Kannur districts. The satellite hospitals would mean taking treatment nearer to the patient and reduce cost of treatment significantly when compared to the referral tertiary care hospital, he said.