KOZHIKODE: The Koyilandy Taluk Hospital, which was upgraded from a health centre five years ago, too stands testament to the apathy of the authorities. It is currently reeling under acute shortage of medical and para medical staff, besides lacking in basic infrastructure facilities.
A doctor at the hospital said that the OP section of the Koyilandi Taluk Hospital had topped the list of having the highest patient flow in the state. “Around 3,000 patients, mostly women and children, arrive at the OP unit everyday. As the fever cases are on the rise, the number of patients visiting the hospital has escalated,” he added.
Though the hospital was upgraded as a taluk hospital five years ago, apathy has been shown in filling the manpower and the infrastructure shortage here.
Only nine doctors, against the total sanctioned strength of 19, are available to treat the patients. Currently, the casualty unit has been closed down owing to staff shortage. The move has drawn flak since emergency cases are forced to be transferred to the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
The gynaecology unit having a well-equipped labour room and five-bed post-operative ward is also remaining closed owing to shortage of doctors. Though the government had appointed a gynaecologist, the post of anaesthetist is yet to be sanctioned. The labour room and post-operative ward attached to the unit which was set up at a cost of 3 lakh is yet to be used, even three years after its launch.
The in-patient unit which has 70 beds is also partially closed as enough hands are not available. Responding to the issue, Koyilandy municipal chairperson K Santha, who is also the chairman of the Hospital Management Committee (HMC), said that the hospital located in the coastal region should be given prime importance.
The HMC has taken efforts to fill the vacancy by appointing doctors via NRHM scheme. But the issue can be solved on a long-term basis only by appointing doctors on a permanent basis. The Health Department should initiate steps in this regard, it is felt.