Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

MMM hospitals set to mark silver jubilee

K. Lakshmi

Two-day international conference planned in January 2007

CHENNAI : This year marks a milestone for Madras Medical Mission (MMM) hospitals, which have completed nearly a quarter century of service.

The idea of a hospital dedicated to treating cardiovascular diseases germinated during an informal discussion by members of the Orthodox Church. It came to fruition when the hospital was registered as a Madras Medical Mission Society in 1982.

It was started as a non-profit organisation to provide subsidised quality medical care for the poor. From a 50-bed hospital on rented premises, the hospital has grown enormously. It has performed about 25,000 surgeries performed in 25 years.

Verghese Eapen, vice-president of the MMM, said the hospital moved into the present premises in 1996. Besides the steady flow of about 16,000 patients in a year, the hospital also reached out to rural people through a mobile diagnostic unit that has travelled as far as Gujarat.

A large number of needy patients are referred for treatment through rural camps. Paediatric cardiology is a speciality of the hospital, which has also branched out into two more specialities, organ transplantation and reproductive medicine.

A. John Punnoose, chief executive officer, said that MMM had taken a big step forward with the establishment of the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences to provide a comprehensive medical education. The institute also has a 500- bed multi speciality hospital. The hospital is planning a two-day international conference in January 2007 to mark its silver jubilee. The oration of the President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, would be the highlight of the conference; the theme will be `Not for profit organisations in health care,' said Mr. Punnoose.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Madras University signs MoU with Australian varsity
After the flood of traffic, an ordeal by water
In Pallikaranai, a recurrent problem
Air France's Paris-Chennai inaugural flight lands
South Australia, Tamil Nadu forge sister-state agreement
Kottivakkam industrial estate hit by rains, power shutdown
Simplifying problems in learning math
Even elders can fall prey to alcoholism
Stalin reviews flood relief measures
Exemplary cost for "strange" plea
End of the road for Thannithurai market?
Nalini's writ petition closed
POTA detenues move High Court
MMM hospitals set to mark silver jubilee
Did not impose candidate, says Karunanidhi
Canal to let out excess rainwater proposed at Maduravoyal
Taramani bedevilled by waterlogging
Little Masters perform with zeal and confidence
Foreign Post turns a new leaf
Indian Science Congress opens on January 3
Three arrested for credit card fraud
"Raghu manufactured some parts of empty rocket shells in his Padi unit"
Iyal Isai Nadaka Mandram selects performing artists
Telecom firm employees arrested on fraud charges
DMK's response adds insult to injury: PMK
Ministers throng this girl's Arangetram
History of Tamil theatre on BBC Tamil service
Taking no chances
Cooperative polls before year-end
Town bus services extended
In a different world
Correction
Around the City
In Chennai Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu