The Aundh Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), a charitable organization, has decided to join hands with the Pune Municipal Corporation to build a state-of-the art hospital in the city.

Dr. Shirish Hiremath, a leading cardiologist and the founder trustee & chairman of AIMS said, "The aim is to build one of the best hospitals in Maharashtra to provide world class service to the underprivileged at affordable costs."

The construction work will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will include construction of 45 beds Cardiac-Cath Lab (Interventional Cardiology). "The 87-bedded multi-specialty unit will include trauma care, orthopedics, general medicine, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, ENT, ophthalmology, dentistry, dermatology and pathology," added Dr Kishore Pandit, Founder Trustee and Secretary of AIMS.

The second phase work will include construction of a cardiac operation theatre, blood bank, multi specialty beds, department of laparoscopy, neurosurgery operation theatre and infertility Center. The construction area will cover a total of 1, 23, 130 sq feet--this will include 65,000sq ft in the first phase and 58,130 sq feet in the second phase.

"The hospital service will be versatile in nature and will focus on the holistic approach towards wellness and well being of all patients and their families," said, Iftekar Pathan, founder trustee and CEO, of AIMS.

It will also create a platform to give an impetus to the health care industry by bringing all the cognoscenti's together for research development activities", Dr. Hiremath stated.

The Aundh Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) has on its board of trustees: Dr. Shirish Hiremath, Dr Kishore Pandit, Gokul Gaikwad, as Founder Trustee & Treasurer, Dr. Shashank Shah, Consultant Surgeon, ex Mayor Dattatraya Gaikwad, Ramkrishna V. Vaidya, retired Deputy general manager, Ammunition Factory, and Mr. Iftekhar Pathan will be founder trustee and CEO.

Some of the major benefits PMC will accrue from this accord with AIMS, will include 50% concession in rates i.e. Rs 100 for first visit Rs 50 for follow up for super specialized OPD cases.

Among the other major benefits PMC will get are 50 angiographies a year at Rs 5,000 per angiography, 12 Angioplasties a year at Rs 50,000 per Angioplasty for single stent only and 20 CABG a year at Rs 70,000 plus actual.

The Non Cardiac cases include 10% total beds, stay/consultation free; 50% concession on actual rates for ICU/operative charges and investigation; drugs medicines and actual would be allowed to be replaced. The application will be for general ward only.

The entire construction cost will be borne by AIMS, operational expenses, intellectual capital, etc will be the responsibility of AIMS. Equipment for existing facilities provided as on today by PMC would be provided in the new constructed premises, while the existing facilities will continue to be provided by PMC.

The existing quarters for the medical officers will be taken into consideration while constructing the hospital and suitable area equivalent to the existing one will be provided. The present facilities of PMC offered at Aundh Kutir Rugnalaya (like maternity and OPD ) will continue to exist AIMS spokesperson stated.