http://www.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=76123&cat=India Middle East comes calling at Kerala's medical varsities:- Thiruvananthapuram | April 06, 2005 5:44:51 PM IST Thiruvananthapuram, April 6 : A high-level delegation from Kuwait has just left, and now medical colleges in Kerala are awaiting an evaluation commission from Bahrain as the state strives to cash in on its prowess to become a medical hub.
The approaching lobbies are exploring the possibilities of the state becoming a probable higher studies centre for their undergraduate students and a hi-tech healthcare hub for their patients. The Kuwaiti delegation - led by Basil-Al-Nakib, Kuwait University's head of faculty of medicine - left Tuesday after a three-day visit. During their stay, members of the team held discussions with Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who promised them his full support. They visited leading healthcare specialists - Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences (SCTIMS) and the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC). "I have asked them what they require and we will do the needful. I have also made them meet the director of Overseas Development and Employment Promotion in case they require medical manpower from here in their country," Chandy said. Said E.M. Najeeb, KIMS' executive director: "The team had a full-fledged tour of our hospital. They were here to see if they could send their undergraduate medical students for post-graduation. They have gone back fully satisfied." A delegation from Bahrain, led by their deputy minister of health and two other health ministry officials, is expected during April third week. "Their main purpose is to see if our hospital facilities fulfil their requirements to send patients here," Najeeb said. "We have been selected because we have a hospital in Bahrain. A few hospitals in Karnataka and Mumbai have already been approved by the Bahrain government." With a slew of hi-tech hospitals and medical colleges, Thiruvananthapuram - also Kerala's medical capital - hopes to add its share to the state economy. -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England