MC palliative unit a far cry
The palliative care unit is proposed in a seven storey building and will have 100 beds.
Kochi: The Rs 12.68 crore palliative care unit proposed at the Ernakulam Government Medical College (EGMC) a year ago is yet to materialise even as the work on its expansion project which includes the super speciality block is progressing at a good pace.
The palliative care unit is proposed in a seven storey building and will have 100 beds. The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) had agreed to fund the entire project under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
However, the project is yet to make headway at the desired pace even after KITCO was designated as the implementing agency.
EGMC principal Dr V. K. Sreekala said that the project is before the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for its approval.
“KITCO had submitted the plan before the SEIAA two months ago, and it asked KITCO to make modifications that are conducive for terminally ill and geriatric people. Last month KITCO submitted the revised plan, and we are expecting approval of the authority without delay,” said Dr Sreekala.
She said that the building would have enough ramps and lifts.
“We were forced to go for the seven-storey building due to a shortage of land on the campus. CIAL is understood to have transferred the first tranche of money to KITCO account also. Once the clearance comes we are ready to start work,” she said.
Apart from care to patients, the unit will train volunteers as palliative care providers.