Kerala: GMC Ernakulam is to be transformed in to a centre of excellence. A master plan is under preparation. Sections associated with the medical college are in support of this recent decision.

Justice Krishna Iyer Movement has been instrumental in convincing the government for handing the medical college to the government from Cooperative Academy of Professional Excellence. Now he is urging the government, people's representatives and agencies, who have an association with the medical college to work together to make the medical institute a centre of excellence.

Dr N K Sanil Kumar of the Justice Krishna Iyer Movement implied that an MBBS student of the GMC allegedly passed away as there was reported lack of facilities at the college. This led to the authorities to transform it into a centre of excellence. A high level meeting should be organised as soon as possible for formulating an action plan on the matter. Besides, each stakeholder should come forward and promise their full support to this project.

Students also welcomed the decision, saying it would address the issues plaguing the medical college. "The lack of proper infrastructure, faculty members, staff and equipment in the medical college is a grave issue. We had submitted representations to the government and authorities, requesting their intervention to provide these facilities. Now, the medical college authorities seem to have taken a positive step. We would be giving the support to materialize the dream," said P G Jayasoorya, president, House Surgeons' Association, Government Medical College, Ernakulam to TOI.

MD team had earlier reported that students of GMC Ernakulam have come forward to demand compensation from the state government for Shamna Tasneem, an MBBS student who recently passed away. It has been alleged the Shamna died as she was not provided proper medical treatment at MCH. Students say that Shamna’s family be compensated monetarily and also, by providing a government job for a family member. Shamna was a second year MBBS student, who was admitted to the MCH when she fell ill. She passed away after a wrong injection was given to her, allegedly by the doctor at the hospital. A condolence meeting was held recently where the students gathered. The students also implied that the government cannot undermine that there is a lack of infrastructure and more facilities, at the hospital, which led to Shamna’s untimely demise.