GREATER NOIDA, April 29 -- In a step towards ensuring well-being of attendants of patients admitted to the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, an affordable meal scheme "Dhanvantari Annapurna Kendra" was launched on Monday. The new centre will provide affordable, nutritious, hygienic, meals to the attendants of hospitalized patients for only Rs.10, with free meals available for those who cannot afford the cost, officials said. The Annapurna Kendra will operate at the hospital daily, starting from 11 AM, officials informed. Officials at GIMS said that until now, the facility provided meals only for the patients, leaving their attendants to fend for themselves. Most attendants had to rely on external food sources, which were often unsafe and unhygienic. "In the past, attendants had to face the challenge of finding proper food, often leading to health risks due to unhygienic conditions," said Dr (Brig) Rakesh Gupta, director, GIMS, Greater Noida. Recognising this gap, the Dhanvantari Seva Nyas, a social welfare organisation, stepped in to launch the Annapurna Kendra. With the establishment of the Dhanvantari Annapurna Kendra, attendants will now have a safe and hygienic meal option available at the hospital premises," he added. "The centre will serve clean and wholesome meals to the attendants at a nominal cost of Rs.10. For those who cannot afford this amount, meals will be provided free of charge", Dr Gupta. To be sure, Dhanvantari Seva Nyas, a notable organization working in the healthcare sector across Uttar Pradesh, is already providing similar services at several government institutions. The centre was inaugurated by Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate, Manish Kumar Verma on Monday. "With the commencement of this facility, attendants will now have timely access to safe and hygienic food," said DM Verma....