KOCHI: Kodanad, famous for its elephant training, is also known for its excellent health services. The Kodanad Government Hospital, which was built by the locals four decades ago, is still a model for the entire state.

Built on one and a half acres of land, the hospital is garden-like with a surrounding wall and arch, a playground, lawn, shade trees, a tiled courtyard, a parking area and a garden. The hospital is not only well maintained but it also ensures good treatment. Besides the share of the Koovappady Panchayat, the hospital is maintained by collecting MLA funds and CSR funds. The service of 4 doctors is available from 9 am to 6 pm. There are facilities like Ophthalmology and Laboratory. There are four nurses, two pharmacists and seven junior public health nurses. At least 300 people come for treatment every day. They are also given medicines. Rs 15 lakh is spent annually on medicines.

The Kodanad hospital, which won the Kayakalp award for the best family health centre in the state last year, has also applied for the 'National Quality Assurance Standard 'certification from the Central Health Mission, said panchayat president D. Sindhu Aravind.

Constructed through crowd funding

The owner of the Mangalam estate M.J. Punnoose donated one and a half acres of land to build a government hospital in the panchayat. In 1967 the then health minister B. Wellington laid the foundation stone there but the construction work did not take place. On 7 March 1976 the then panchayat member K P Bhaskaramenon formed the construction committee.

The families of Kodanadu and surrounding areas were divided into different categories based on their income and received donations in the order of Rs 11, 25, 51, 101, 151 and 201. Those who were not able to pay the money gave products. Rupees eleven thousand was received from Kuwait. On March 7, 1977, film star Sarada inaugurated the hospital.