KOCHI: The Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) at General Hospital, Ernakulam, is completing one year of providing diagnostic services to the needy at affordable costs.

A total of 26,000 patients have made use of the services of the RDC, managed by the Hospital Development Committee of the hospital, during the eight months since it became fully operational, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, who is also the chairman of the committee.

The anniversary was celebrated at an informal function at the RDC on Wednesday, in which the Collector, district medical officer K.T. Ramani, deputy district medical officer Ramachandran, General Hospital superintendent Omana and the staff of the RDC participated.

Mr. Hanish told reporters at Kakkanad on Tuesday that this was the first RDC in the State to become fully operational. Three RDCs have been allotted to the State - in Kollam, Palakkad and Ernakulam districts. The scheme is being implemented with the assistance of the Union Government.

The RDC was formally inaugurated on July 23, 2005, by the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Full-fledged operations began on November 1, 2005. A total of Rs.3 crores was sanctioned for the project, with Rs.1.5 crores for equipment and Rs.1.5 crores for infrastructure, including buildings.

There is provision for conducting 35 biochemistry tests, 18 clinical pathology tests, seven serology tests and 26 special tests here. An array of modern equipment, including a fully automated Random Access Chemical Analyser, semi-automated Clinical Chemistry Analyser, an automated chemiluminiscent Immunoassay System, an Automated Electrophoresis System, fully-automated Haematology Analyser, Electrolyte Analyser and CD4/CD8 Cell Analyser, is available at the hospital.

The RDC charges only half the rates charged by other institutions. The glucose test to determine the blood sugar level costs only Rs.10, with the test for HDL cholesterol costs only Rs.70. All the tests are conducted free of charge for those who belong to the below poverty level (BPL) category. Audiometry and speech therapy tests have been started.

During the past eight months, a total of 2,000 patients belonging to the BPL category have availed themselves of the services available at the RDC. The laboratory provides these services not only to the hospital patients but also to outsiders.

The District Collector said an order of Rs.2.75 crores for equipment to treat cancer had been placed under a Union Government-assisted programme. It is expected that the equipment will be installed by September. There is a radiation unit and the cobalt therapy unit at the hospital. The landscaping of the hospital premises, undertaken by Kochi Refineries Limited at a cost of Rs.40 lakhs, is also expected to be completed by the end of this year.

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