The government has given administrative sanction for constructing a pain and palliative care unit at Ernakulam Medical College Hospital, by including it under the corporate social responsibility scheme of the Cochin International Airport Limited, a press release issued by the office of the Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said.
The unit, in six floors at 60,000 sq feet, is expected to cost ₹12.68 crore and will be the first major palliative care centre in any medical college in Kerala.
The facility is envisaged in such a way that 100 patients can be accommodated, with female and male wards on all floors where there will also be facilities to accommodate one caregiver for each patient.
Likely within a year
The pain and palliative care unit was expected to be functional within a year, once the State Environment Department gave its sanction, the press release said.
A palliative care unit has been functioning at Ernakulam Medical College Hospital since the past three years, jointly with the Rotary Club.
Apart from OP clinics, the unit conducts home visits of patients and provides training for volunteers to become palliative care providers.
