The inaugural function of the research centre at the renovated Marwari Maternity Hospital in Guwahati. (Below) The maternity hospital. Pictures by Biju Boro

Oct. 6: After decades of pioneering service in maternity healthcare, the Marwari Maternity Hospital got a facelift recently.

A research centre with state-of-the-art technology in its renovated premises, was inaugurated by Bhumidhar Barman, health minister and officiating chief minister of Assam on Sunday.

The centre will start full-fledged medical and surgical facilities, in-house treatment facilities in general surgery, medicine, gynaecology and paediatrics. It will strive to provide comprehensive healthcare to both mother and child.

Barman applauded the Marwari community for their contribution to various services and healthcare projects. He spoke of the commendable service rendered by maternity hospital towards mother and child care healthcare in the urban slum areas of the city. “We are ready to stride across all barriers to take advantage of the latest technology at our research centre. We had already started outpatient department (OPD) in general surgery, dentistry, dermatology, paediatric and indoor in general surgery. We will try to introduce all possible disciplines in OPD,” said R.S. Khakholia, joint secretary, Marwari Maternity Hospital.

A mobile air-conditioned ambulance with an operation theatre for conducting sterilisation and minor surgeries will soon by started by the centre. “We hope to cater to the city and neighbouring areas like Khetri and Hajo. We are also planning to set up a blood bank soon,” he said.

The Marwari Maternity Hospital had organised several outreach programmes and medical camps in remote areas, which were sponsored by the European commission.

Their first venture was Shree Marwari Databya Aushadhalaya, which was started in 1916. It is a dispensary offering both homeopathic and allopathic medicines at affordable rates to the economically weaker sections of the society. “We have incorporated both these systems of medicine in the Aushadhalaya to develop an integrated system of healthcare,” said Khakholia.

“We have started a pay clinic in the Aushadhalaya’s premises at subsidised rates to meet the needs of the middle class and upper middle class at a registration fee of Rs 5,” he said.

The Marwari Maternity Hospital, inaugurated in October 1985, has emerged as the leading maternity hospital in the entire Northeast.

“We try to provide quality care at affordable prices. Our room rent in the general ward is only Rs 35. Our target is to provide healthcare to everyone, particularly to the people who cannot afford the more expensive private hospitals. Our doctors make an effort to give confidence to our people that the child that is born is going to survive,” he said.

“We are also planning to start a referral super-speciality hospital so that the patients of the region do not have to rush to big cities like Delhi and Chennai,” he added.

However, the road leading to the hospital is in a deplorable condition with constant traffic jams. Hemanta Talukdar, MLA, Guwahati West, said he would urge the authorities to take necessary measures to improve the roads in the locality.