Nation's first state-run organ transplant institute to come up in Kozhikode; CM Pinarayi Vijayan lays foundation stone

KOZHIKODE: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone of the state's first government organ transplant hospital (Organ and Tissue Transplant Institute) in Kozhikode with the aim to provide organ transplant treatment at a low cost. This could help people cut their reliance on foreign countries and private hospitals. The construction is expected to be completed within two years. The country's first organ transplant hospital is being built on 20 acres of land in the premises of the Chevayur Dermatology Hospital in Kozhikode.

The construction will be completed using 617 crore KIIFB funds. The aim is to bring all the activities related to organ transplant surgery under one roof. Treatment, teaching, training, research, and organ donation activities related to organ transplant will thus become possible.

Comprehensive care will be provided from the treatment of those with damaged organs to organ transplant surgery and rehabilitation. The cost of the first phase of the hospital, which will be built in two phases, is 299 crore. In addition, 99 crore was allocated for equipment.

The institute will be set up on eight floors with over 500 beds, state-of-the-art treatment facilities like ICU, dialysis, and operation theater. In the first phase, there will be 350 beds including ICU, HDU facilities, dialysis center, and 10 operation theaters.

There will be 14 speciality departments and divisions. It will function as a training center and research center for doctors and paramedical staff in the field of transplantation. There are also plans to introduce 31 academic courses. Expertly trained doctors, scientists, and health workers will be part of this.

With the arrival of this hospital, the cost of organ transplant treatment, which normally ranges around crores in private hospitals, will be reduced to one-third of the current cost. Dependence on hospitals in other states for organ transplants will be eliminated. Since surgeries can be performed quickly, patients will not need to wait for years to get an organ transplant. Since teaching, training and research are also possible along with treatment, there is hope about the institute carving out future experts in the domain. Medicines for those who have undergone organ transplant treatment will be made available at low prices.