Patients from Jamshedpur can now consult doctors at Apollo Hospitals Chennai without hassles, thanks to an information centre of the southern heal hub that opened doors in the city on Friday.

Launching the facility in Bistupur, consultant neurosurgeon of Apollo Dr M. Balamurugan said apart from facilitating consultation with doctors in Chennai, this first-of-its-kind centre in Jharkhand would also offer OPD services. Doctors from Apollo Chennai will visit this OPD.

Santanu Chatterjee, manager (healthcare) of Apollo Chennai, said the information centre in Jamshedpur was set up to address the growing needs of city patients seeking world-class services.

"Apart from OPD clinics in general medicine, cardiology, orthopaedics, gynaecology, etc., we shall also arrange complimentary pick-up for patients at Chennai railway station and airport; prior appointment with patients through SMS; as well as telemedicine facility," Chatterjee said, adding that they would also help patients get second opinion and follow-up treatment.

On the occasion Dr Balamurugan made a presentation on new innovations that Apollo Chennai has made in neurosurgery. "Neuro physicians and surgeons from the hospital will attend to patients at the Jamshedpur centre once in six weeks. The timings will be announced soon," he said.

Jugsalai resident Vijay Agarwal said he was glad to know about the centre. "I have been suffering from cardiac ailments for the past year. A local hospital referred me to Apollo Chennai. Now, I can look forward to necessary assistance," the 55-year-old said.

A rough survey suggests that over 100 patients from the city go to various hospitals in the south, including Apollo, every year. The centre will help them in better diagnosis and treatment.