Kerala: Government to take over of Pariyaram Medical College

Kannur: The Pariyaram Medical College takeover by the government and its decision to maintain it as an autonomous institution will give a state-of- the- art medical institution to North Malabar, a backward province in healthcare. However, there are apprehensions in certain quarters that the autonomous nature of the institution, might lead to the government controlling the institution by appointing its own people as heads. There is also concern in interested sections that the government take over might not serve the purpose of a Government Medical College.

Presently the Pariyaram Medical College and hospital, PMCH is run under the supervision of the Kerala State Cooperative Hospital Complex and Center for Advanced Medical Sciences (KSCHC & CAMS).

Pariyaram Medical College Chairman, Shekharan Miniyodan, speaking about the government's take over decision said the move will result in the Medical College and Hospital being developed on the lines of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology.

"Unlike a government institution, an autonomous body has more independence and if it is properly developed, the PMCH can bring about a revolution in the healthcare sector of north Malabar," he said.

He was of the view that PMCH with its infra structure had the potential to develop into a world class institution; and if given autonomous status, it can appoint more experts with better salaries, resulting in benefiting patients, irrespective of their financial status.

"This is an opportunity to get a good institution and we should utilize it," he stated, adding that once the institution acquired an autonomous status the possibilities of central funding would also grow enormously.

Meanwhile, the sections interested in the government takeover resulting in the institution converting into a state run medical college are apprehensive about the new decision.

"When the previous government mooted a similar idea, the governing body of the PMCH opposed it, and now they approve it, which is kind of double standard," said health activist D Surendranath, who is part of an action committee demanding the government takeover.

Though welcoming an autonomous, state-of-the-art medical institution in the north Malabar region, he said it would however, not be an alternative to a government medical college.
"Moreover, in the name of autonomy if the government tries to have political control over it by appointing people whom it can control, the result would be counter-productive and the institution might remain the same, which would be unfortunate," he added.

Social Activist Surendranath said, the action committee that campaigned for the government takeover, would hold a meeting, on Wednesday, to decide the future course of action.