KOCHI: Reeling under various infrastructure issues, the Kochi Government Medical College (KGMC) is pinning its hopes on Chief Minister’s Friday visit to the college for announcements that may help improve standards of services it offers.
Though the government took over the KGMC from the Cooperation Department in 2013 after a series of agitations by various organisations, it is still struggling with dearth of facilities and shortage of doctors and staff. It has nothing but shortcomings to show for its 15 years of existence.
“KGMC has 11 postgraduate seats in six different subjects besides 100 MBBS seats. It has a cath lab, but no full-time cardiologist, a dialysis unit, but no nephrologist and a burn unit that lacks enough staff and doctors. The posts of urologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist and paediatric surgeon, besides others, are also vacant,” pointed out Dr N K Sanil Kumar, a volunteer of Justice V R Krishna Iyer movement, which has raised the voice for the college’s betterment.
“In short, despite being a medical college that offers PG courses, KGMC does not have required facilities stipulated by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Not only academics and patients, but KGMC’s infrastructure is also plagued by shortcomings. If the MCI conducted a surprise visit here, it would find sufficient reasons to cancel its recognition,” he pointed out.
Lack of transportation is another issue that affects patients. There are no sufficient bus services from HMT Junction to KGMC, forcing patients to hire auto-rickshaws and pay `50 for a one-side trip.
Kumar said the government should appoint as principal someone with at least five years remaining. “The Hospital Development Committee headed by the Collector also does not meet regularly,” he said.