Agra, Sep 18 (IANS): Union Textiles Minister Santosh Gangwar on Friday inaugurated the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya, a free charitable hospital, in Vrindavan and hoped it will prove to be a boon for the residents of the Braj region who cannot afford modern healthcare costs.

"It is heartening to see that this hospital is fully equipped with all modern healthcare facilities,” Gangwar said, after opening the hospital with the Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat presidents Vishakha Tripathi, Shyama Tripathi and Krishna Tripathi.

“The Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya is our third charitable hospital," said Vishakha Tripathi, adding that the foundation was laid by the Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj himself on Feb 20, 2008.

Trust authorities said it will serve as a multi-facility, 100-bed hospital that will provide free consultation, in-patient treatment, diagnostics and medications to the residents of Braj.

"The hospital will render services in general medicine, including general surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology and gynaecology, along with dental care, physiotherapy, naturopathy and homoeopathy," the trust said in a statement.

"The hospital also has in-house radiology lab with X-ray and ultrasound machines, as well as modern pathology lab and state of art equipment and machinery," said another senior trust representative Ram Puri.

The Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat has already established two free hospitals in Mangarh village in Pratapgarh District that have been functional from 2003, and at Barsana since 2007. They serve Thousands of poor and needy each year.