Media Release
Mangaluru, May 5: In a major step towards strengthening rural healthcare access, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, through its Department of Emergency Medicine, has extended its emergency and trauma care services to Jyothi Hospital, Laila.
Jyothi Hospital will now benefit from the expertise of emergency specialists from KMC Hospital, significantly enhancing its capacity to manage critical cases especially during the ‘golden hour,’ a crucial window for saving lives in emergencies.
“We have established emergency centres at Puttur, Kakkinje, and Kerala, where we have successfully stabilised numerous patients suffering from cardiac arrest, stroke, trauma, snake bites, poisoning, paediatric emergencies, and other medical crises. To support this effort at Laila, a hi-tech ambulance will be stationed, equipped with trauma-trained technicians and GPS-camera-based satellite monitoring. Our specialist doctors will monitor patients throughout the transfer, ensuring timely and expert care,” said Dr Jeedhu Radhakrishna, cluster head of emergency medicine, KMC Hospital, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle, Mangaluru.
“Patients requiring advanced interventions including cardiac, neuro, or surgical care will be transferred to KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, where comprehensive multi-speciality care will be available,” he added.
Reflecting on the journey of Jyothi Hospital, Sister Merit S D, hospital administrator, said, “When Jyothi Hospital began in 2004, the region was still underdeveloped, and women and children in particular suffered due to a lack of access to proper healthcare. Under the vision of His Excellency Mar Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop of Beltangady, and the efforts of the Sisters of the Destitute, we established a healthcare institution committed to providing affordable, quality care to all. Over the years, countless lives have been saved.”
She added that Jyothi Hospital houses the only 24x7 blood bank in Beltangady taluk and has developed a range of departments including obstetrics and gynaecology, general surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, orthopaedics, urology, nephrology, ENT, cardiology, ICU, anaesthesiology, operation theatre, physiotherapy, and more. Facilities also include radiology services, digital X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, a clinical laboratory, pharmacy, medical records department, and biomedical waste management.
Welcoming the collaboration, Sister Anne Grace, medical superintendent of Jyothi Hospital, said, “We are pleased to partner with KMC Hospital’s emergency medicine team. Their presence will significantly enhance emergency response in our region, especially for stroke, cardiac arrest, poisoning, pediatric emergencies, and road traffic accidents that we frequently encounter. This partnership strengthens our ability to serve the surrounding villages of Beltangady taluk.”
With 24x7 trained emergency specialists now available, residents of areas including Killur, Bangady, Koyyur, Bajila, Haleyangadi, Navara, Didupe, and Kayarthadka will have access to timely and effective emergency care, significantly improving patient outcomes.
“This collaboration marks a vital milestone in our commitment to rural healthcare. By bridging the urban-rural gap in emergency services, we aim to bring advanced medical care closer to the people who need it most,” said Saghir Siddiqui, regional chief operating officer, KMC Hospital, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle, Mangaluru.
The partnership is expected to offer seamless, life-saving emergency care to the rural population, ensuring timely treatment in critical moments and improving survival rates.