With five decades behind it, Medical Trust Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, has evolved into a centre of excellence in advanced care, powered by robotic surgery, transplant expertise and a strong commitment to affordable healthcare.
From pioneering cardiac transplants in the private sector to building a dedicated robotic surgery centre, the hospital today stands at the forefront of Kerala’s healthcare landscape.
The hospital was founded in 1973 by visionary physician Dr Varghese Pulikkal, at a time when patients in Kerala often had to travel outside the state for specialised treatment. Advanced medical infrastructure was then a distant dream, even as Kochi was emerging as Kerala’s commercial capital.
Today, Medical Trust Hospital — the flagship of the Pulikkal Medical Foundation — is an 800-bed, NABH-accredited multi super-speciality hospital. With internationally trained doctors and modern treatment protocols, it has also built a strong reputation in health tourism.
Despite its scale and sophistication, the hospital says its core mission remains unchanged: delivering quality healthcare at affordable cost, ensuring that advanced treatment remains accessible to ordinary families.
Over the decades, the MTH has created several milestones in Kerala’s private healthcare sector:
First successful heart transplant in the state’s private sector
First successful cadaver kidney transplant
Launch of an organ donor registry
Benchmarks in multi-organ transplantation and polytrauma care
The hospital has also expanded services to Kuzhupilly in Vypin to improve access for island communities.
In 2024, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar inaugurated a dedicated transplant centre equipped with a robotic surgery unit and advanced facilities. Among other wings, the hospital houses the MTH Mother & Child Centre, a specialised wing for women and paediatric care.
The Medical Trust follows a flexible tariff structure, offering subsidised and free treatment to economically weaker sections. With over 300 doctors and more than 2,000 staff, the hospital operates round the clock.
The Medical Trust has also emerged as a key centre for medical education and training.
Postgraduate courses under the National Board of Examinations in 21 specialities
Paramedical programmes under the Medical Trust Institute of Medical Sciences (MTIMS), including physiotherapy, optometry, medical laboratory technology, cardiovascular technology and hospital administration
BSc and Post BSc Nursing programmes under the Medical Trust College of Nursing (MTCON)
Diploma courses under the Directorate of Medical Education
The hospital’s recent MTH Robo Summit underscored its growing role in robotic-assisted care. The conference brought together doctors, technologists and healthcare leaders to discuss how robotics is reshaping modern surgery.
Experts highlighted how robotic systems enhance precision, reduce surgical trauma and accelerate recovery. Sessions covered artificial intelligence, image-guided navigation and remote-assisted procedures, offering insights into how technology is redefining patient safety and treatment outcomes.
Over the past year alone, Medical Trust has completed more than 200 robotic surgeries, expanding access to cutting-edge treatment for patients across Kerala and beyond.
As it completes 50 years, Medical Trust Hospital’s journey reflects both continuity and change — combining its founding vision of accessible care with next-generation medical technology to remain a leading healthcare hub in the region.