Ernakulam General Hospital has proudly launched a new, dedicated queer-friendly clinic, marking a significant advancement in inclusive healthcare. This innovative facility now offers the queer community access to state-of-the-art laser treatments at highly subsidized rates. What typically costs ₹1,000 per session will now be available for half the price for community members.
Dr. Shahirsha, the superintendent of Ernakulam General Hospital, announced plans to further reduce the laser treatment cost to just ₹250 per session. He highlighted that the initiative aims to provide convenient and accessible healthcare, especially given the significant transgender population in the district. Future enhancements include specialized services for plastic surgery and hormone therapy, in addition to existing comprehensive counseling facilities. The hospital is also implementing a special queue system and dedicated service counters to ensure privacy and comfort for the queer community.
Beyond this pioneering clinic, Ernakulam General Hospital has also unveiled several other crucial upgrades. These include a state-of-the-art mortuary complex, a new stroke intensive care unit (ICU), and a fully renovated cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab). Furthermore, the hospital continues to support the ‘Sruthitharangam’ scheme, providing vital cochlear implant surgeries for children with hearing difficulties, reinforcing its commitment to diverse healthcare needs.
The newly refurbished mortuary now boasts an additional freezer chamber, expanding its capacity from 12 to 18. This modernized facility features private, cubicle-style freezer units, a significant improvement over previous traditional setups. To support grieving families, a comfortable waiting area for relatives, a dedicated reception space, clean drinking water facilities, and a tranquil garden have also been thoughtfully incorporated.
These extensive improvements were funded through various sources: the mortuary renovation cost ₹70 lakh from the MLA fund, the stroke ICU was established with ₹10 lakh from the plan fund, and the queer-friendly clinic represented an investment of ₹13 lakh. All these vital new projects were officially inaugurated recently by Health Minister Veena George, marking a new chapter for healthcare services in the region.