About Us
Welcome to Alphonsa Eye Hospitals
Alphonsa eye hospitals at Pala,and Thodupuzha are full-fledged eye hospitals serving the people of central Kerala for the last three and a half decades. Established in the year 1984 at Pala ,it was the first eye hospital in private sector in Kottayam district. Founded by Late Dr. KC Baby Olickal,the hospital from the beginning was keen in providing high quality eye care affordable to all sections of the society . In 2013 a similar eye hospital was established at the neighboring town of Thodopuzha in Idukki district . Both the hospitals are NABH – E accredited.
The advancements in Ophthalmic sciences evolved in last three and a half decades were made available to the people one by one in our hospitals .We have the credit of introducing many subspecialtes and equipments for the first time to the people in these districts.
History of The Institution
Alphonsa Eye hospital was started in the year 1984 by late Dr. KC Baby Olickal The hospital was named ‘Alphonsa’ after Saint Alphonsa of Bharananganam .
The hospital was inaugurated on 23rd of April 1984 by Sri K M Mani the then finance minister of Kerala and was blessed by Mar. Joseph Pallikkapparampil , the then Bishop of Palai. It was the first eye hospital in private sector in Kottayam district and was one of the first eye hospitals of the state. Hospital started functioning in a rented building – ‘Kurrekkattu buildings’ opposite to St Thomas school Pala, owned by Dr. Baby’s maternal uncles. The beginning was truly humble. The hospital was on the 1stfloor of the building. A vegetable shop and a restaurant functioned in the ground floor. The hospital had a consultation room, reception, and patient waiting area in one room, the other room was made into the operating theatre and the biggest room was made into a 5 bedded ward. Dr Baby had taken pains to buy a Slit lamp, which was prized equipment at that time. MrsGracy Baby was in charge of administration. The response from the public was overwhelming and the same year on December ,OP department was shifted to the more spacious Aramana building nearby. The hospital functioned in that same building for next 12 years.
The new hospital building at Pala where the hospital functions now was started on May 1st 1997.
.
About Founder
Dr K C BABY
(1945 to 2020)
Lead Kindly Light
Born to C.Chandy Olickal & Anna Chandy of Bharananganam in Kottayam district,he was the 6th among his 11 siblings Had his primary education at St.Mary’s school Bharananganam and attended college at
St.Thomas college Pala. Did MBBS from Medical College kottayam (1965 batch.) Started career at St.John’s hospital Kattapana and , later joined govt Service . DO and MS from Medical college TVM. Started Alphonsa eye hospital at Pala in 1984. One of the 1st eye hospitals of kerala in private sector ,he gradually but steadily developed the hospital with many state of the art facilities in eye care . When he started Alphonsa Eye hospital at Thodupuzha in 2013 many of the facilities in ophthalmic practice where introduced for the first time in Idukki district also.
He was an active member of many social and charitable organisations. He was a popular and respected member of the society he had served An undisputed leader of the medical fraternity of his home town , he was a tall leader of IMA in state level. Eye care with a social commitment was what he practised through out his ophthalmic career that spanned more than 40 years. He aimed for providing high quality treatment at very affordable cost for the general public. In connection with the silver jubilee of the hospital, started free clinics in hospitals for economically weaker sections of the society He was actively practising until he was diagnosed with AML in the year 2018. He passed away on 17th of January 2020.
POSITIONS HELD
- Past President, IMA Pala Past President, Rotary Club of Pala.
- Past President, KOS (Kottayam Ophthalmic Society).
- Past executive member KSOS.
- Past State Vice President QPMPA (qualified medical practitioners association).
- State Treasurer, KASC (Kerala association for small hospitals and Clinics).
- Served as Senate Member MG University for 4 years.
- Held important positions in various schemes of IMA KSB . He was the Vigilance officer of Professional Protection scheme of IMA KSB till 2019.
- Chairman of prevention of blindness project of Rotary District 3211 for many years.
- A man of letters, he was as good orator and writer.
- He was the editor of a number of souvenirs and magazines published by IMA,Rotary,KOS,etc.
- He was the student editor of 1965 MBBS batch of Kottayam medical college ,and had the rare opportunity to edit and publish their golden Jubilee souvenir also, after a period of 50 years in the year 2015.