Yet another time, the jaunty team of SIIP 3 fellows set out on their visit to Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). At the break of dawn, on the 9th of April 2018, along with their manager, they got onto a 3 and a half-hour-long oscitant bus journey which ended with a view of the striking premises of one of the biggest rural, multi-speciality teaching hospital in the upcoming town of Karad, Satara district. After a wholesome breakfast at the institute’s canteen, they headed straight to meet with the registrar of the institute, Dr M.V. Ghorpade. Dr Ghorpade further introduced them to Ms Archana (Asst. Registrar) and Dr Patil (HOD Academics).
Together, they discussed the aim of the visit, agenda for the day and the possibility of further collaboration between Venture Center, Pune and KIMS, Karad. Following the introductory meeting, Dr Ghorpade had arranged for a roundtable meeting for the SIIP team with various Head of Departments at KIMS. From their expertise, each of the speciality doctors spoke about the gaps and problems faced by the elderly in their fields. After this insightful session, a guided tour, with Dr Patil and one of the 3rd year residents was arranged, showing them through the IPD, OPD, wards, speciality services, super speciality services and community services. During this tour, the team got to interact with doctors, nursing staff, technical staff and patients and observe all the facilities available.
ABOUT KIMS
Krishna Hospital is an institute that resonates the coming of age of medical services in India. May it be a day to day regular ailment or a concern that requires speciality services and care it can all be found here. A team of expert doctors with decades of experiences highly trained nursing and ancillary staff, latest equipment and machines handled by skilled technical staff and a strong backbone of support services has helped elevate Krishna Hospital to a premier healthcare institute. The hospital with a capacity of 1125 beds, 31 wards, 8 different ICUs has added a number or various capabilities over the years, however, has always stayed true to its DNA of “affordable, quality medical services for all”.
No. of Beds: 1125
- 12 fully equipped major operation theatres
- 4 Minor Operation Theatres
- 8 ICU’s (88 beds)
- Pharmacy
- Central hospital Laboratory (Pathology, Biochemistry & Microbiology)
- Blood Bank with components
- Computerised medical records
- Departmental offices & Library
- Hospital Kitchen / Canteen.
- Counselling (Clinical Psychologist, Child Psychologist, Speech Therapist)
OBSERVATIONS
The hospital is an extensive, well-equipped, well-staffed facility in a rural set up that provides services at nominal charges for rural population in and around Karad. This in itself is a salvation. The hospital handles cases of the ageing population across all departments.
- In the General medicine department, cases of chronic ailments and accidents due to negligence are most common. The ICU’s are populated by such cases.
- The Orthopaedic department majorly gets cases of domestic falls that lead to multiple fractures due to degrading bone density of the elderly and specifical osteoporosis amongst women. They had developed various low-cost limbs, which are affordable as compared to market prices.
- The Physiotherapy Department aims to evoke postoperative and physically degenerating patients. They use paraffin wax mostly for painful hands and feet and is used by our physiotherapists in conjunction with gentle mobilising techniques and a tailored exercise programme.
- In Ophthalmology old people come in with problems of declining eyesight, cataract, CMV retinitis.
- In the gynaecology department, prolapse and hormonal imbalance was commonly observed in patients due to lack of regular follow-ups.
- In the Dental department, doctors expressed the lack of good quality local make equipment, which in turn would reduce the cost of operation. The materials used for strength of moulds, implants is not of good quality and bio-compatibility is a concern.