Devamatha Hospital, located in Koothattukulam, Kerala, has captured global attention following the sudden passing of Kenya’s opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga on October 15.
Founded in 1975 in memory of Venerable Mar Thomas Kurialacherry, Devamatha Hospital stands as one of central Kerala’s most respected healthcare institutions. Over the years, it has built a reputation for quality, compassion, and excellence — values deeply rooted in its Catholic heritage.
The hospital is a 250-bed facility, with 100 fully functional beds currently in operation. It is staffed by 25 senior doctors, 74 nurses, and more than 130 support and paramedical personnel, providing round-the-clock emergency and trauma care.
Its state-of-the-art infrastructure includes advanced diagnostic units, modern treatment departments, and 24-hour laboratory and pharmacy services. The hospital’s philosophy, inspired by Christian values of service and compassion, continues to guide its operations, ensuring that every patient receives care marked by dignity and empathy.
Beyond its clinical services, Devamatha runs several community-based programs — including medical outreach missions, elderly hospice care, and free health seminars for rural communities. The founders, Mar Thomas Kurialacherry and Mother Mary Francesca De Chantal, are celebrated for their vision of accessible and affordable healthcare for all.
Reports from hospital officials indicate that Raila Odinga collapsed during his routine morning walk and was immediately rushed to Devamatha Hospital. Doctors on duty launched intensive resuscitation efforts, but despite their best attempts, the ODM leader was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
His body is currently preserved at the hospital’s modern mortuary, which features deep-freezing technology that meets international preservation standards — ensuring safe storage before repatriation.
Devamatha Hospital is NABH-accredited, offering a wide range of medical specialties including Cardiology, Neurology, Oncology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, and Urology. It continues to serve both local and international patients with professionalism and compassion.
Raila Odinga — fondly known across Africa as “Baba” — was a towering statesman whose influence extended beyond politics. He served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 under the Grand Coalition Government and spent over five decades shaping the nation’s democratic journey.
Though he vied for the presidency five times, Raila’s impact was never measured merely by electoral victories. He stood as a symbol of democracy, unity, and justice, inspiring generations of Kenyans and Africans to believe in the power of resilience and reform.
His passing at Devamatha Hospital marks not only the end of an era but also the beginning of a global reflection on his legacy. From Nairobi to New Delhi, tributes have poured in — celebrating the life of a man who lived for the people and died a patriot.
As Kenya prepares to receive his body and honor him with a state funeral, Devamatha Hospital will forever be remembered as the quiet sanctuary where one of Africa’s greatest sons took his final breath.
