Nilackal to get speciality hospital to treat Sabarimala devotees, local populace
According to Health Minister Veena George, a speciality hospital with advanced medical infrastructure will be established at Nilackal to benefit both local residents and Sabarimala pilgrims. The facility with an estimated cost of ₹9 crore will come up on land allotted by the Travancore Devaswom Board. The Chief Minister has instructed that additional funds be released towards the project based on requirement.
The hospital will integrate modern medicine with Ayush, and during the pilgrimage season enhanced speciality care will be provided to meet the increased demand, the Minister said. Besides the devotees, it will also serve the local populace, especially the tribal community settled in and around the hilly region.
The three-storey facility, the work on which will be completed at the earliest, will feature a 12-bed casualty unit, outpatient departments, a 7-bed observation ward and pharmacy etc on the ground floor. The first floor will host an intensive care unit (ICU) with eight beds, nurses' station, a fully equipped minor operation theatre, a 13-bed inpatient ward and administrative offices. The second floor, meanwhile, will accommodate a 50-bed dormitory facility to accommodate pilgrims and attendants.
Presently, the Health department opens special wards at the Government Medical Colleges at Kottayam and Konni to take care of Sabarimala devotees requiring specialised treatment. It also operates temporary unis all across the pilgrimage circuit through out the season to handle medical emergencies.
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