Andhra Pradesh: Geriatric Care Ward in NIMS to start soon

Hyderabad: Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) soon to be opened geriatric ward providing special care to the elderly, comes as a ray of hope for the senior citizens of the state.

Providing speedy healthcare services to patients above 55 years, this ward is to be the first of its kind facility to be offered in private and government hospitals in the state.The ward will be initiated with 30 beds, 6 ventilators and a 6 bedded Intensive Care Unit (ICU).The wing will be able to attend to 150 outpatients daily.

The geriatric ward is being launched under the 'National Health Care Program' for Elderly' scheme, with a union Government funding of Rs 2 crore.

"We have already hired a professor. Two assistant professors will be appointed based on national notification for this ward. This is the second such ward in south India after Chennai," Dr K Manohar Rao, Director of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences told TOI.

The hospital authorities are also hoping that once the unit is operational, they will be able to include two post-graduate seats in geriatric medicine in the next academic year. The hospital wants to introduce eight new courses .

Geriatric care is way behind as a discipline in the country. Shifting demographics and reduced mortality rates are giving rise to its need, say doctors. But limitations like time-consuming diagnosis and lack of opportunities prevent many doctors from acquiring this specialization.