Vims seeks Rs 25 crore for expenses

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (Vims) is hoping for a grant of Rs 25 crore from the government to meet its operating expenses. “Though we have recently received Rs 4 crore, we need further funds from the government. We are going to recruit 65 doctors and 25 staff nurses during this year. Apart from this, there are also plans to outsource more housekeeping and security personnel. The hospital authorities have listed the plans in detail and submitted an expenditure plan of Rs 2 crore per month,” said Vims director Dr C.V. Rao.

Over 45 doctors and 75 staff nurses are currently working for Vims that has a capacity of 450 beds. The foundation stone for the government hospital was laid in 2007. However, it started its outpatient services in April 2016, while the inpatient and emergency services began only from last September. According to the director, the hospital is catering to about 200 outpatients per day. Almost 50 inpatients are admitted every day for super speciality treatment, but the bed occupancy is not fully utilised. Most of the patients are from Visakhapatnam itself. There is no flow of patients from the neighbouring states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Only six blocks are functional out of the 15 blocks planned in the 110-acre campus. When asked about the building plans of remaining blocks, he said, “As of now, we are focussing on 100 per cent occupancy of the inpatient beds. Once that is achieved, the government may go in for the construction of the remaining blocks to cater to more patients.”