Kozhikode, February 7: Chief Minister P. Vijayan announced on Saturday that the establishment of the Kerala Institute of organ transplantation is one of the most commendable steps in the state’s healthcare sector.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the first organ transplant hospital being built in Chevayur, Kozhikode, under the Health department.
This institute will feature state-of-the-art facilities, enabling all activities related to organ transplantation and various types of transplant surgeries to be conducted in one location.
The hospital aims to perform approximately 1,100 cornea, 520 kidney, 320 liver, 15 intestine, 15 pancreas, 50 heart, 40 lung, 120 bone marrow, and 300 soft tissue/finger/hand/bone/face transplants annually.
The Chief Minister stated that this organ transplant hospital will be a unique institution with no equal. In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, transplant surgery has become essential.
Costs for these surgeries in private hospitals are often exorbitant, with prices varying significantly between facilities. This financial burden can be overwhelming for many families. Recognizing this issue, experts recommended the establishment of such a hospital.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the project will be completed on time and appealed for cooperation from all sectors to ensure its success.
Health Minister Veena George remarked that this day marks a significant milestone in Kerala’s healthcare history. The state government decided to establish the Kerala Institute of Organ Transplantation in Chevayur, understanding this critical need.
The Minister also announced that the government will soon unveil a plan to provide patients with post-transplant medications at the lowest prices in the country.
The hospital will be constructed on 20 acres within the Chevayur Skin Disease Hospital campus. The project will be executed in two phases, with the first phase costing ₹299 crores. An additional ₹99 crores has been allocated for equipment.
The first phase will include 350 beds with ICU and HDU facilities, a dialysis center, and 10 operating theaters.
The facility will feature 14 specialized departments and divisions, and the entire building will span eight floors.
Additionally, this institute will serve as a training and research center for doctors and paramedical staff in the field of transplantation, with plans to run 31 academic courses. The construction is funded by the KIIFB.