THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K K Shylaja on Friday told the House there was no neglect from the government to fulfil the parameters laid down by the Medical Council of India and gain approval for the five MCHs. She also promised to improve the infrastructure and increase the faculty at the Manjeri Medical College.
The Opposition alleged indifference from the LDF Government towards the five new medical colleges started during the UDF Government’s tenure. The Congress MLAs highlighted the ongoing student’s indefinite fast at the Manjeri Medical College, demanding appointment of faculty members.
The Opposition yielded to the request of Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister A K Balan to not stage a walkout from the House, after he gave an undertaking that the government is only keen to nurture the new medical colleges. The Health Minister replied the previous UDF government had conceived new medical colleges in small extents of land.
Allaying fears, the minister said an agreement has been reached for sourcing Rs 146 crore from KIIFB for the infrastructure development of the Manjeri MCH. Three professors have been transferred from Kozhikode MCH and posted in the surgery department.
“The Chief Minister has asked me to give special attention to the demands of fasting students and end the stir. As many as 1,032 new posts will be created for Manjeri MCH alone. We’ll work together to develop the new medical colleges and ensure that the MCI grants annual recognition to the new MCHs,” she said.
Permission was denied to M Ummer (IUML) to move an adjournment motion. Ummer reminded that Malappuram district deserves a better consideration from the government.
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said as per the new stipulations of MCI, the extent of land needed to start medical colleges in rural and urban areas is only 25 acres and 15 acres respectively. “The new medical colleges were started by the UDF Government after a gap of 35 years with a vision to provide affordable medicare to the people," he said.