Mysore/Mysuru: Patients traveling from distant places to avail the services at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru, require short-term accommodation for a few days to complete their assessment and initiate treatment. The original single-storied Dharmashala dormitory, built in 1985 for this purpose, was insufficient and was in a dilapidated condition.

In response, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare approved a proposal to construct a three-storied dormitory and suite accommodation at a total cost of Rs. 11.30 crore. The project was implemented by National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) Ltd., a Government of India Enterprise.

The newly built Patient Accommodation Block, Kuteera consists of 4 floors. The ground floor features 7 double-bedded rooms and 1 dormitory. The first and second floors each have 12 double-bedded rooms and 1 dormitory. Each dormitory can accommodate 15 beds, bringing the total capacity of the Kuteera to 107 patients.

The stilt floor is reserved for parking, with space for 14 four-wheelers & 50 two-wheelers. Additionally, the ground floor houses a common kitchen and dining hall, while first and second floors include recreation rooms. The building is disabled-friendly, with measures in place to ensure the security of children with disabilities. Stringent quality audits by IIT Dharwad ensured the quality of construction.

This new facility, offering accommodation at a nominal cost, will serve as a refuge for patients from the lower economic strata visiting the institute.

The new facility Kuteera will be inaugurated at Panchavati campus of AIISH, Mysuru, tomorow (Aug. 9) at 2.30 pm by Apurva Chandra, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.  L.S. Changsan, Additional Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, will be the guest of honour. Dr. M. Pushpavathi, Director, AIISH, will be present. The 59th Annual Day of AIISH will also be celebrated tomorrow at 4 pm at the Seminar Hall in Knowledge Park of AIISH.