VIMS expands healthcare services

In  good news for the healthcare sector, Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) recently recruited a substantial number of specialist doctors across various departments, aiming to enhance its multi-specialty services to meet the growing medical demands of the people in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
One of the notable expansions at VIMS is the establishment of an endoscopy unit, which will offer advanced procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography, colonoscopy, and more. VIMS officials believe that this state-of-the-art diagnostic facility will play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal strictures, cancers, stones, and performing stenting procedures.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Dr. K Rambabu, the Director of VIMS said that, “The institute has made significant improvements in its treatment offerings over the last two years.” He highlighted several new services, including Andhra Pradesh’s first spinal and neuro-rehabilitation center, hip and knee replacement surgeries, brain and tumour surgeries, and a pain clinic that draws patients from all the north coastal Andhra Pradesh districts. The pain clinic also offers platelet-rich plasma therapy for patients dealing with chronic joint pains.
Furthermore,0 VIMS now provides a comprehensive range of cardiac services. The institute is currently in the process of developing a city diagnostic center on its campus, with an investment of approximately Rs 30 crore, aiming to consolidate advanced diagnostic and laboratory services in one centralized location. Notably, VIMS recently achieved a significant milestone by conducting the first organ retrieval from a brain-dead patient within the government healthcare setup in Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. Rambabu pointed out that VIMS boasts a team of 50 specialist doctors, including two gastroenterologists, two cardiologists, four neurosurgeons, one plastic surgeon, one endocrinologist, one surgical gastroenterologist, one emergency medicine specialist, and others. Dr. Rambabu also serves as the state’s Covid-19 nodal officer.
Simultaneously, the state government has ambitious plans to invest around Rs 250 crore in a complete makeover of VIMS. Originally proposed to cater to the region’s multi-specialty medical needs, VIMS was envisioned along the lines of the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad. The foundation stone for VIMS was laid by former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy in the united Andhra Pradesh back in 2007. This investment aims to elevate VIMS to even greater heights in providing advanced healthcare services to the region.