First phase of Ayurveda hospital completed

Kochi: The new block of the Ernakulam District Ayurveda Hospital is all set for inauguration, marking the completion of the first phase of the reconstruction of the old hospital building at Kacheripady in the city.

Ernakulam District Panchayat President P.S. Shyla said that the construction of the new block on the eastern side comprising a ground floor and first floor were completed at a cost of Rs.3 crore. She said that the panchayat had planned to take up the construction of a five-storey building in three phases because of fund crunch. As many as 200 patients could be accommodated in the general ward when the whole construction is over. Besides, the new building would house 150 pay wards and the district medical office of the Indian System of Medicine (ISM). There would also have a conference hall and guest rooms on the top floor.

Ms. Shyla said that when she had visited the old hospital, most of the wooden beams were found to be broken and the hospital building was leaking. She had immediately ordered the reconstruction of the decrepit building. The hospital was shifted to the old building of the Thripunithura Ayurveda College following the demolition of the old building. The district medical office was also shifted to a building in Thammanam. The construction works were inaugurated by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan in 2006.

Mr. Achuthanandan will inaugurate the new block on Monday.