Kochi Y's Men International's MidWest India Region comprising Idukki, Ernakulam and Alappuzha has launched Kanivu, a social service campaign in which more than 10 dialysis machines will be donated to hospitals in the region. The initiative is part of the 100th anniversary celebrations of Y's Men International which was established in 1922 in Toledo, US, as an international group of volunteers in support of YMCA. Three of these machines were already set up and inaugurated at Dharmagiri Hospital, Kothamangalam; Lourdes Hospital, Ernakulam and Samaritan Hospital, Pazhanganad. In Dharmagiri Hospital, the dialysis machine was inaugurated by Dean Kuriakose MP while the first switch-on was done by T U Kuruvilla, former minister. The machine here was donated by K M Mani and Agnus Mani, the brand ambassadors of Kanivu. At Lourdes Hospital in Kochi, the machine was inaugurated by Hibi Eden MP. The machine to the Kochi hospital was donated by Y's Men's Smart City Kakkanad Club. At Samaritan Hospital in Pazhanganad, the machine was donated by K T Paul, District Governor and inaugurated by Santosh George, Regional Director, Y's Men International. The switch on was done by Kochouseph Chittilappilly, industrialist and Chairman, Chittilappilly Foundation.
Speaking on the initiative, Santosh George, Regional Director, Y's Men International, said within the next five years, each of these machines will be beneficial to more than 1500 deserving patients. Once more than 10 machines are set up as per the plan, more than 15000 kidney patients will be benefited.
The inaugural ceremonies were also attended by Dr. Terry Thomas Edathotti, Regional Secretary; Pratheesh Paul, Treasurer; Benoy Poulose, Cabinet Secretary; Sony Abraham, Web Master; M S Anilkumar, C M Kais and Baby Mathew, Lt. Regional Directors; Joji K Thomas, Jai N John, James Joseph and George Edappara, District Governors; Sunil John, District Secretary and senior officials of the respective hospitals among others
