Foundation Stone laid for new OPD block at KMC, Manipal

Manipal - A new OutPatient Department (OPD) block is coming up at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. This was announced by Dr R R Pulgaonkar, Chief Operating Officer and Medical Superintendent in a press release issued to the media.

According to the press release, once functional, it will decongest the existing OPD area of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The Foundation Stone for the New OPD Block was laid jointly by ShriT Mohandas Pai, President Dr TMA Pai Foundation Manipal,Chancellor of Manipal UniversityPadma BhushanDr Ramdas M Pai, Shri Ashok Pai SecretaryDr TMA Pai Foundation Manipal,and Dr Ranjan Pai, CEO MEMG in presence of Dr H S Ballal Pro Chancellor Manipal University, Dr K Ramnarayan Vice Chancellor Manipal University, Mr Mohandas Pai - Chairman Manipal Universal Learning, Bangalore and other dignitaries.The new OPD Block will be named after Smt T Sharda Madhava Pai (Wife of Dr T M A Pai) who was a great source of inspiration to the entire Manipal Family. Bhoomi Poojan and Foundation Stone laying ceremony was organized on the occasion of the One Hundred and Fourteenth birthday of Founder Dr T M A Pai. The New OPD Block will have about 75000 sq feet build up area spread across in Ground floor and 4 floors.

"The patient traffic in the OPD at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal is increasing day by day. In 2005, more than 57,000 new patients registered while 3.40 lakh reported for follow-up consultation . By the year 2011 , OPD registration crossed 140,000 mark while more than 6.50 lakh patients came up for follow-up. The heavy footfalls at the OPD's, especially Orthopaedics, General Medicine, Cardiology and other key departments lead to over-crowding in the hospital.

"With the new block in place in a years time, thepatients will find it more convenient in every way and will experience a marked difference in the services being rendered by the hospital then, and the patients will have a pleasant experience" remarks Dr R R Pulgaonkar, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital.

Earlier, Foundation stone was laid for the A plush dormitory facility with 400 beds and other basic amenities for needy patients and their attendants at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The dormitory will provide lodging facilities to patients and attendants at subsidized cost especially would benefit those from Shimogga, Davangere, Uttara Kannada and North Karnataka. "The dormitories provide enough privacy and security to women attendants and children. Basic amenities like purified drinking water and clean toilets is would be provided," informed Dr R R Pulgaonkar, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital.

(Press Release)