Minister for Higher Education K.T. Jaleel opened Care Home, a shelter for cancer and kidney patients, on the Government Medical College Campus in Kozhikode on Sunday. The shelter has been set up by Helping Hands Charitable Trust through contributions from people. “The State has realised that hospitals are the foundation stones of development. But the government alone cannot do everything. The public should cooperate and do their bit,” Mr. Jaleel said adding that many voluntary organisations in the State were doing an excellent job.

“It is not just the affluent who can do charity. You can help others physically, through your actions,” the Minister said.

P.K. Ahammed, chairman of the reception committee, said Care Home was built at a cost of ₹12 crore in 44,000 square feet. The facility, located near the Olympian Rahman Stadium on the medical college campus, will provide free shelter to children suffering from leukemia, those who have undergone kidney transplant, and aged cancer patients in the first, second and third floors respectively.

Dormitories for bystanders of patients, study room, library, conference hall, counselling room, pharmacy, videoconferencing room, kitchen and dining hall have been set up.

“We have noted that infection-free living arrangements have been a problem for patients at the medical college for years. This has often led to infections during chemotherapy, leading to patients’ deaths,” said president of the trust K.V. Niyas. The shelter was constructed over a period of four years.