Hridaya Foundation seeks 10 acres at VIMS
The Hridaya Foundation has sought 10 acres at the Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) to provide free medical treatment and surgical care to children with heart ailments.
The foundation’s representatives are understood to have conveyed their proposal to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and requested land to set up a facility. Acting on the Chief Minister’s directions, the District Collector asked Health Department officials to examine the request.
A team of officials visited the VIMS campus on Sunday and held discussions with hospital authorities on the possibility of allotting 10 acres from the campus, which spans nearly 100 acres.
VIMS officials, however, reportedly expressed reservations, citing the institute’s future requirements and expansion plans. They are said to have pointed to the difficulty of parting with the land.
Health Department officials are likely to discuss the issue further with the Collector before a decision is made.
The Hridaya Foundation has been supporting children with heart ailments from economically weaker families for several years. Its activities include identifying children who need treatment, arranging surgeries, providing financial assistance and conducting screening camps. It also mobilises funds for children whose families cannot afford treatment.
It is yet to be decided whether the site, if allotted, would be used to set up a hospital or a coordination office for the foundation’s activities.
The officials who inspected the VIMS campus are expected to submit a report to the Collector on land availability and other relevant aspects.