Visakhapatnam: King George Hospital in Visakhapantam has announced plans to develop a new casualty block with about Rs 35 crore, funded by a public sector undertaking. This proposed block will feature advanced surgical facilities and diagnostic equipment, including CT and MRI imaging, catering to a variety of medical specialties such as general surgery, orthopaedics, and neurosurgery.
The emergency operation theatres within the block will be equipped to handle critical cases, ensuring immediate intervention in life-threatening situations. Proposed to be set up near the hospital’s entrance, this new block is expected to enhance accessibility for patients requiring urgent care.
Serving as a crucial healthcare facility for patients from north coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha and Chhattisgarh, KGH attended to numerous emergencies throughout 2024. The hospital provided extensive critical care to 42 students following a tragic food poisoning incident in Kotauratla of Anakapalli district, which resulted in the death of three students. KGH managed victims of various industrial accidents, including the deadly gas leak at Escientia Pharma, and performed post-mortem examinations on the 12 victims of the Escientia incident.
Explaining about the plans for the New Year, Dr. P Sivananda, superintendent of KGH, said that the hospital is set to introduce a linear accelerator (LINAC) machine in its radiotherapy wing at the CSR block with Rs 16 crore. “This advanced equipment will allow for targeted cancer treatment, focusing on destroying malignant cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue,” said Sivananda.
“The hospital recently launched a pilot study in the paediatric department to treat haemophilia inhibitor patients using Emicizumab, a drug that mimics the function of factor 8 in blood clotting. Traditional treatments often become ineffective in patients who develop inhibitors after repeated factor 8 therapies. Emicizumab offers an effective alternative and is easier to administer. The cost of one 30 mg vial of Emicizumab is Rs 43,000, translating to an annual treatment cost of Rs 26 lakh for a single patient. However, the government is subsidising the treatment for two patients, providing free medication worth Rs 52 lakh. This therapy aims to prevent uncontrolled bleeding during injuries, safeguarding against severe complications such as shock, intracranial haemorrhage, joint damage, and permanent disability. Our sincere thanks go to the state govt for supporting this costly but life-saving treatment,” added Dr Sivananda.In a bid to enhance patient care, KGH has established helpdesks across various departments and laboratories, offering patients and their attendants essential information on services, medications, and diagnostic procedures. Counselling rooms have been set up to provide regular updates to families of patients receiving care in the ICU, ensuring that attendants are well-informed about the patient’s prognosis, potential outcomes, and other relevant health information.
