Ernakulam district will soon have a government-run geriatric centre.

The district panchayat has initiated steps to establish the geriatric centre which will include an inpatient physiotherapy centre and a dialysis centre. The centre, which will be useful for patients who need long-term physiotherapy, will come up at the district hospital in Aluva.

“A major concern we have is addressing the caregiving needs of the elderly in the district. We are placing much emphasis on formulating programmes for the elderly. The geriatric centre, with an inpatient physiotherapy facility, has been envisaged as part of this,” said district panchayat president K.G. Radhakrishnan.

As part of this, a new building is being constructed at the district hospital in Aluva. “Construction is under way at the hospital. Along with this, we are also planning to upgrade the dialysis unit. While we do have a 28-bed dialysis centre at the hospital, we intend to modernise and upgrade the facilities. So the first floor of the geriatric centre will have a modernised and well-equipped dialysis facility,” said Mr. Radhakrishnan.

The other two floors will house an inpatient physiotherapy centre for patients receiving palliative care. “There is no inpatient physiotherapy facility in the government sector in the State. This is a pressing need that can be addressed through the centre. Private facilities are available, but they are expensive,” the president said. The panchayat has envisaged the centre as a low-cost inpatient facility.

“Many elderly people require physiotherapy but are unable to access it because of limited facilities. Several elderly patients require extended treatment, which may require hospitalisation. The facility will be affordable to the general public,” said the president. The facility is expected to become operational within a year.