Four meals a day, and a little hope
Every inpatient at General Hospital, Ernakulam receives four meals a day, planned to their own diet by the hospital's dietitians, through Oottupura — run in collaboration with the hospital. We also serve lunch to their bystanders, four days a week.
Completely freeHow it began
For years, Mr. K. J. Peter and his team carried free meals to the bystanders at General Hospital, Ernakulam — the family members who stay by a patient's side through long days and nights of care.
Around that time, a thought crossed the mind of the hospital's then Medical Superintendent, Dr. Junaid Rahman: what if every patient in the hospital could be given their meals? He asked Mr. Peter if it could be done. Mr. Peter and his team joined hands with General Hospital, Ernakulam to make it happen. With the support of Shri P. Rajeeve, then Member of Parliament, a kitchen was set up at the hospital, and since then every inpatient has received four meals a day, each planned to their own diet.
When someone is admitted to hospital, a family has enough to worry about. Oottupura was started to take one worry away — and to bring a little hope when it's needed most.
What we do
Figures as of September 2026.
Inside Oottupura
