JEDDAH: The shareholders of Al-Salama Eye Hospital in Perinthalmanna, a project of non-resident Keralites (NRK), have approved an expansion plan worth Rs.35 million to further improve the hospital’s services, said Mohammed Kutty, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors.

He said the board had decided to extend interest-free loans to shareholders up to 50 percent of their share. “We’ll give a 15 percent dividend next fiscal year,” he told a meeting of shareholders in Jeddah.

The shareholders have urged the directors to establish an educational complex near MES Medical College in Perinthalmanna. Kutty presented audit report of last year’s financial statement. Alawi Pattassery, executive director, opened the meeting. “We have so far conducted 500 medical camps and provided free ophthalmic surgeries to nearly 5,000 people,” he said.

Mohammed Ashraf, vice chairman, disclosed plans to start a B.Sc course in optometry next year with the affiliation of Calicut University. “We’ll develop the hospital to promote medical tourism,” he said.

The board has decided to receive 50 percent right shares from current shareholders for its new expansion projects including educational institutions. The hospital has set up an eye bank with the support of Lion’s Club.

A similar meeting was held in Riyadh, which was opened by K. Noushad, executive vice chairman.