KLES Hospital, Belgaum

Run by Karnataka Lingayat Education Society, KLES Hospital, Belgaum was established in the year 1996. This multi-speciality Hospital with its 1820 bed strength today treats 1200-1400 patients in its OPD per day.

Achievements in the Last Year

Last year has been significant for the Hospital in terms of new value-added services like Trauma Care and Emergency Medical Services (TC & EMS). According to Dr Mallikarjun Jali, CEO and Medical Director of KLES Hospital, "If any road accident victim taps the TC and EMS, he/ she is assured of treatment with no questions."

KLES has established an organisation 'Clinical Research and Site Management Office' for clinical trials and academic research in the Hospital. It has also redesigned hi-tech ICU beds and now gearing up for another 65 ICU beds. Telemedicine network at all the sub-centers of KLES Hospital is another significant addition. "We are giving super- speciality consultations through our telemedicine network at Jamakandi (40 beds ICU), Gokak (25 beds ICU), Hubli (25 beds), Ankola (150 beds), Goa Health Centre," says Dr Jali.

New Initiatives

"Retaining doctors, nurses, technical and non-technical staff is highly challenging in non-metro area like ours" - Dr Mallikarjun Jali CEO and Medical Director KLES Hospital Belgaum

The Hospital has plans to include stem-cell research division soon as part of its expansion plans and is also constructing a helipad. The Hospital has initiated VSAT connectivity for mobile rural telehealth services with the support from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) whereby 162 hospitals across India are linked together.

Quantum of Investment

The Hospital is equipped with wi-fi in administrative areas, digital library, more than 350 computers with various modules linking laboratories, medical records, OT, RFID, CCTVs, and 250 nodes. The Hospital Information System software has cost the Hospital more than Rs 2 crore.

Challenges

Attrition is the number one challenge that the Hospital is facing currently, especially due to its location. "Retaining doctors, nurses, technical and non-technical staff is highly challenging in non-metros like ours," agrees Jali.

CSR

Every year the Hospital conducts awareness programmes and camps for diabetic children. Free Insulin Treatment (FIT) programme and diabetes outpatient intensive treatment programme by the Hospital has received a good response from diabetic children. Recently the Hospital conducted mass hypertension camp covering a population of 70,000.