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Pathanamthitta: The Kerala government has announced the construction of a Rs 6.12 crore advanced speciality hospital at Nilakkal, the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple base camp, to benefit both pilgrims and residents. The foundation stone for the hospital will be laid on Tuesday by Health Minister Veena George. The minister said the state-of-the-art facility is designed to serve both residents and Sabarimala pilgrims. According to the PTI report, the hospital is being constructed on land allotted by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) at Nilakkal, at an estimated cost of Rs 6.12 crore, she said in a statement. Also Read:Kerala Health Minister announces universal healthcare coverage by 2031"The Sabarimala base camp hospital at Nilakkal is being built as part of the government's commitment to ensure the well-being of pilgrims visiting the hill shrine," George said. The building, spread over 10,700 sq ft, will house facilities such as three outpatient (OP) rooms, an emergency department, a nurses' station, an ECG room, an ICU and a pharmacy. The first floor will accommodate an X-ray room, multiple operation theatres and a scrub area, it said. Those expected to attend the foundation-laying ceremony include Ranni MLA Pramod Narayan, MP Anto Antony, Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar, District Panchayat President George Abraham and TDB President P S Prasanth, reports PTI. Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country and abroad are expected to visit Sabarimala during the two-month annual pilgrimage season, which begins on November 17.Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Kerala Health Minister Veena George presented the policy document 'Kerala's Health Sector Vision 2031' during the Vision 2031-Health Seminar, announcing the state's goal of achieving healthcare for all by 2031. George stated that the speciality medical services would be decentralised and infrastructural facilities would be further strengthened. Also Read:Rs 100 crore sanctioned to tackle supply shortages at Kerala Hospitals
