KOCHI: The out patient (OP) wing of the Kochi Cancer Centre will start functioning on November 1 itself, though the State Government is yet to identify a director for the facility, said Health Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan, who visited the Government Medical College where the OP wing is coming up.
“Staff for the OP wing will be recruited after analysing results of the interview held the other day,” he said, adding that he did not hold discussions with the Medical College authorities on department-level inquiry into the death of MBBS student Shamna who died at the Medical College allegedly due to medical negligence. However, he did not respond when reporters pointed out that the `1 crore offered for the Medical College for procuring life-saving equipment was not allotted yet.
Complaints
When the Health Secretary arrived at the Medical College in the morning, employees’ organisations including doctors approached him with complaints such as delay in integration of staff after taking over the Medical College from the Cooperation Department, delay in promotions, pay protection and delay in filling vacancies.
The Health Secretary held discussions with principal Dr Sreekala, and inspected some wards, damaged incinerator and the area allotted for the cancer centre. Later, he held a closed door discussion with the principal, District Collector Mohammed Y Safirulla, Medical Education Director Dr Ramla and CPM district secretary P Rajeev.