Ernakulam Medical College gets Dr PP Mohanan as the new principal

Kochi: The Ernakulam Medical College is likely to see a wave of change with Prof. PP Mohanan having taken over as Principal. The previous Principal, VK Sreekala has retired. The medical college has also witnessed a transfer of its Medical Superintendent, and no replacement entertained. This has led to periodic criticism emanating from different departments of the college.

Dr. Padhinhare P Mohanan prior to joining as Principal Ernakulam Medical College was Director and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Westfort Hi-Tech Hospital, Thrissur, Kerala. He completed his MBBS and MD (Internal Medicine) from Calicut Medical College, Calicut, in 1977 and 1983 respectively. Dr Mohanana then went onto acquire a DM (Cardiology) super-speciality qualification from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, in 1988.

Between 1981 and 1986, his career journey saw him work as Lecturer in Medicine at Alleppey Medical College. He then did an year's stint as Assistant Professor of Medicine at Calicut Medical College, and another as Assistant Professor of Cardiology at Alleppey Medical College and Thrissur Medical College, Kerala. Dr Mohanan joined Westfort Hi-Tech Hospital as Head of the Cardiology Department and was elevated to the post of Director in 2002.

An active participant in various medical associations and societies throughout his career PP Mohanan has participated in several clinical trials and research studies. He also has to his credit many articles and papers published in peer-reviewed journals over the years.

The college with a new principal has undergone a total revamping. Appointments have been made on several vacant posts and new specialities announced. The departments which have undergone manpower appointments are nephrology, cardiology and the neurology wings.

In 2017, 100 posts in these departments had been created by the government. A Rs 12 crore project for the cardiology department is nearing completion.

"Many new posts have been created and several specialists appointed. Now that the nephrologists have joined, our main problem is infrastructure. We have only five dialysis machines and the matter was taken up by the government. There is also the need for a paediatric surgeon and neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon's post has already been created and will hopefully be filled soon. Only then can we set up a functional trauma care facility. We have also sought the creation of a paediatric surgeon's post. We do have enough funds with even the private entities helping us through CSR funds," said Peter, Superintendent, Ernakulam Medical College in TNIE.

'235 crores for building the super speciality block has been allocated by the KIIFB. The building has got the approval of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the tender process is underway.