 Thank
you very much for giving me this online opportunity to speak
to you, making use of your most valuable time. I earnestly
hope that this would mark the beginning of a meaningful
association between you and ‘Ananthapuri’.
It was more than a decade ago that ‘Ananthapuri’ got
conceived in the mind of its primary promoters (me included)
as a modest Venture consisting of only a couple of
specialties like Neurology and Gynecology. As time passed,
the advisability of embarking upon such a center, which
invariably confines its scope of service only to a very
small segment of the Society, dwindled against the extreme
need and urgency of establishing tertiary level hospitals
capable of catering to the healthcare needs of all sections
of the Society at affordable rates. Detailed studies on the
feasibility and viability of such a Project having its
location in Thiruvananthapuram ensued. Positive results
prompting planned action to implement the scheme emerged.
Leading doctors, held in high esteem, who could presumably
subscribe and contribute to the view, were taken into
confidence and consulted. Marathon meetings involving more
and more experts representing various branches of medicine,
who could share and further strengthen the view, took place.
‘Ananthapuri’, as a 500 bedded tertiary hospital, became a
reality as all resolved to join hands to implement the
Project in two phases, the first consisting of Cardiology
and Neurology (along with basic specialties) in May, 2005
and the final phase including all the specialties by 2006.
Dear friend, we are aware that it is indeed a stupendous
task that we aim and endeavor to accomplish. But the amount
of public patronage that the Project has registered since
its formation is phenomenal enough to make us optimistic
about achieving the target. Promoters who join us in this
prestigious venture seem to consider the Project with deep
social commitment, the need of the day deserving patronage
of the highest possible level. We are in fact pooling our
efforts and resources to meet the healthcare challenges that
the new millennium poses. But the resources at hand are far
from being adequate to meet the demand. We do have to join
forces with many more of the like-minded and well-meaning
members of the Society to achieve the goal.
Though the first phase is nearing completion having
incurred an expenditure of about twenty crores, means
utilized so far does not include assistance from any
financial institutions, though many nationalized banks have
sought to finance the Project. We intend to keep such
sources in reserve for tapping only when other avenues, that
continue to open up for us, get exhausted. This would
certainly give us an edge over others to honor our
commitment of paying dividend etc. promptly to the
investors. Our innovative schemes like geriatric homes and
wellness centers, which are hailed by all as institutions
growing in demand, add to the features of the Project, of
which many are unique.
Wellness and well being, which everyone earnestly seeks but
finds it hard to achieve alone can make a healthy Society.
Many more healthcare centers having adequate facilities,
comparable with the best in the world, should be set up to
correct the imbalance between the growing demands and the
existing services. It is presumably against this backdrop
that the Ernest & Young in their in-depth study based on
Thiruvananthapuram has identified healthcare as having
tremendous scope when compared to other potential sectors
such as Tourism, IT and Organic farming. To create a better
India inhabited by healthy Society we, every one of us, have
to shoulder our share of the responsibility. Ananthapuri’s
vision and avowed mission reflect our inner drives that help
us pursue this noble goal. Your joining us in the venture
will be significantly instrumental in achieving it.
We do look forward to associating with you as one of the
most valued members of the Organization.
Dr .A. Marthanda Pillai.
Chairman
For Ananthapuri Hospitals & Research Institute (AHRI). |
