Kerala CM lays foundation stone for organ transplant institute

Kozhikode: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday laid the foundation stone of Kerala Institute of Organ Transplantation, which will be set up under the health department at Chevayoor in Kozhikode. Speaking at the event, he said that it will be one of the most exemplary initiatives in the health sector in the country.
"Organ transplant surgeries incur huge expenses in the private sector. The cost varies significantly if the same surgery is performed at different hospitals, making it unaffordable for many families. Considering this, experts recommend establishing such a hospital. It is hoped that the hospital will be completed on time," said the chief minister. Health minister Veena George, who presided over the event, said this is a landmark day in the history of Kerala's health sector. The country's first organ transplant hospital will be established on 20 acres of land at the site of the skin disease hospital in Chevayoor. The first phase of the hospital, which will be built in two stages, will cost Rs 299 crore. An additional Rs 99 crore was allocated for equipment. The aim is to annually perform 1,100 corneal transplants, 520 kidney transplants, 320 liver transplants, 15 intestinal transplants, 15 pancreas transplants, 50 heart transplants, 40 lung transplants, 120 bone marrow transplants, and 300 soft tissue/finger/hand/bone/face transplants. The hospital's construction is funded by KIIFB.