Odisha’s IMS & SUM Hospital opens geriatric clinic, emergency medicine dept

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, April 1:

The Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital under the SOA University in the Odisha capital, on Wednesday became the second hospital in the state to set up a Geriatric Clinic for the elderly where senior citizens would get treatment on priority and concessions on investigation charges.

The hospital’s Emergency Medicine department and a renovated Therapeutic Kitchen was also inaugurated to mark the day.

Coinciding with the Utkal Divas, the Geriatric Clinic was inaugurated by an elderly patient in the presence of the Vice-Chcanellor of the University, Prof (Dr) Amit Banerjee, the Managing Member, Gopabandhu Kar and Medical Superintendent, Prof PK Mohanty.

Dr SN Swain, who is in-charge of the Geriatric Clinic, said the clinic would remain open on two days a week (Monday and Thursday) from 9 am to 5 pm where the elderly above 60 years of age would be examined after which they would be advised as to the line of treatment to be adopted for their ailment. They would get appointment with doctors on priority and would not have to wait.

“The elderly patients above the age of 65 years will receive concessions on investigations done up to 25 per cent,” the Medical Superintendent said.

The Emergency Medicine department was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor who laid stress on involving young doctors in attending to emergency situations. A serious patient, requiring urgent attention, could be treated in this department which has all the required equipment including ventilator and monitors supported by round-the-clock MRI and CT Scan facility.

A day-long special seminar, as part of Continuing Medical Education (CME), on Emergency Medicine was held to mark the occasion.

The seminar was addressed by Prof Banerjee, Prof Mohanty and Dr Ishwar Behera, Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine. A host of other doctors from different departments presented their papers as well.

The Vice-Chancellor also inaugurated the extended Therapeutic Kitchen in the hospital, a multi-functional facility, which provides the food for patients retaining the nutritional value as per the doctor’s prescription. The chefs follow special technique to retain the food’s nutritional value. The kitchen has all the modern gadgets and facilities to ensure strict adherence to hygiene and safety while maintaining compatibility of medicine with food.