The state-run Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Visakhapatnam has reported a dramatic surge in patient footfall, more than doubling its services in a single year. This remarkable growth underscores the institute's expanding role as a critical healthcare provider in Andhra Pradesh.
Unprecedented Growth in Patient Numbers
In a significant leap, VIMS provided services to nearly 2.24 lakh outpatients in 2025, a figure that more than doubled from the 1.11 lakh patients treated in 2024. The rise was not limited to outpatient care. The number of patients admitted for hospital stays also saw a substantial increase, climbing from 6,528 in 2024 to 8,867 in 2025. Surgical procedures followed this upward trend, with the count rising from 1,943 last year to 2,803 this year.
Pioneering Free & Advanced Medical Treatments
A cornerstone of VIMS's service is providing high-cost treatments free of charge. A prime example is the Tenecteplase injection for stroke patients. While this life-saving drug costs approximately Rs 50,000 in private hospitals, VIMS administers it for free during the critical golden hour. In 2025 alone, 503 brain stroke patients benefited from this initiative.
The hospital also tackled rare and expensive conditions. Director Dr. K Rambabu highlighted the treatment of 15 patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a condition whose treatment runs into several lakhs of rupees in corporate hospitals. VIMS provided the necessary costly injections and integrated physiotherapy, ensuring all patients recovered fully.
The gastroenterology department offered a wide range of free diagnostic procedures, including:
- Endoscopy (772 procedures)
- ERCP (50)
- Colonoscopy (76)
- RUT biopsy (112)
These services, which can cost between Rs 3,000 and Rs 50,000 privately, were provided at no cost.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure and Specialised Services
To support this expanded care, VIMS enhanced its infrastructure by procuring two new surgical workstations and four ventilators, bolstering its emergency and critical care capabilities. A landmark achievement was recorded in 2025 when VIMS became the first government hospital in Andhra Pradesh to perform a liver transplant within the public healthcare system, alongside handling numerous complex liver disease cases.
In orthopaedics, the hospital continues to offer free hip and joint surgeries under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. It also stands out as the only government hospital in the state providing free Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy for joint pain—a treatment that can cost up to Rs 10,000 elsewhere. Since its introduction in 2022, 110 patients have received relief through this free therapy in 2025.
The combined effect of these initiatives—massive patient outreach, free advanced treatment, and infrastructure upgrades—positions VIMS as a transformative force in making quality healthcare accessible to the people of Andhra Pradesh.
