Senior Film Director Fazil inaugurated Aster Seniors – An Age-friendly initiative, for patients above Seventy years
Indian Medical Association ( IMA) had created a framework for Age-Friendly Hospitals and Healthcare facilities to ensure quality services in geriatric care. Aster Medcity became the first hospital in India to implement these strict standards prescribed by IMA. Dr. Samuel Koshy, President of the Kerala state IMA handed over the Age-Friendly Hospital Accreditation Certificate to Ms. Ambili Vijayaraghavan, CEO, Aster Medcity. Dr. M K Paulose, Chairman of IMA state committee for Care of Elders, Dr. Praveen Pai, State committee Convenor, Dr. Maria Varghese, President, IMA – Kochi, Dr. T R John, Director of Medical Affairs, Aster Medcity, Dr. Rohith Nair, Deputy Chief of Medical Services, Aster Medcity were present. Senior film Director Fazil inaugurated Aster Seniors - an initiative to ensure quality and friendly services for patients above seventy years of age.
Senior years are the years of waiting. Waiting for the delivery of quality healthcare is one of the most difficult among them. Aster Medcity believes that it is our duty to ensure that all Seniors get effective and efficient, quality healthcare as and when they require it. Aster Seniors initiative is an effort to deliver quality medical assistance to all elders, as per IMA standards with all care and love at their convenience avoiding maximum delay explained Dr. T R John. Similar initiatives will soon be implemented in Aster Hospitals across Kerala, said Mr. Farhan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster Hospitals Kerala Cluster & Oman.
A separate registration counter and waiting area with age-friendly seating arrangements have been created near the main entrance of the hospital. An easily recognizable badge for identifying Aster Seniors will be given to patients above seventy years who desire to utilize the services.
Registration, booking, billing for all services including medications can be done at the special counter itself. Patients needing assistance will be accompanied by specially trained hospital staff for consultations and procedures. A telephonic helpline, functional during the daytime, has been established exclusively for Elders. Aster Seniors in association with Aster Home Care will also facilitate the delivery of healthcare services at home if required. Aster Seniors will also facilitate transport arrangements for the elderly if necessary.
Aster Medicity was able to achieve Age-friendly Accreditation by ensuring required facilities like infrastructure, arrangements for free movement of elders, friendly and dedicated staff, and necessary clinical services as per IMA directives. IMA officials said that steps were being taken to encourage more hospitals and facilities to join the IMA Age-Friendly Initiative.
