Kerala: Health Minister Shylaja to look into Junior doctor discrepencies

Kottayam: Health Minister, KK Shylaja in a ‘meet the press’ gathering on Tuesday, said that the alleged discrepancies in the appointment of junior residents to the Institute of Integrate Medical Science(IIMS) commonly known as Government Medical College, Palakkad, would be taken up as soon as they were brought to her notice. She assured that though she had come across the appointment discrepancy issue in the newspapers, she would look into the matter. A report in the Indian Express dated February 19 appeared alleging discrepancy appointments of Junior doctors.

“Since the college is not under the Health Department, our intervention is limited to the admitting students and recruitment of faculty members.

"We shall hold an inquiry if the issue is related with this. Other than some news reports, the issue has not come to my notice and I don’t want to make a comment on it at this juncture,” she said.

According to the minister, faculty recruitment to government medical colleges is an agitating issue as there is dearth of qualified persons for the job.

“A significant number of PG medicos and super specialty doctors are opting for private sector after their studies.At the same time, a section of them has shown commitment to the government sector, who are being used as faculty members in government colleges.We have to find a sound number of faculty members for Parippally, Kalamassery and Idukki medical colleges to get MCI recognition,” she said.

The minister expressed inability to start all the medical colleges announced by the previous UDF government, including Haripad Government Medical College immediately. “Starting medical colleges in all the districts is not in the consideration of the LDF Government.

Prioritizing the list of medical colleges, she named Idukki to be top priority. Wayanad and Kasargod Medical Colleges are also in this list,” she added.

Speaking about MCI recognition for PG departments in government medical colleges, the minister stated that deficiencies in some cases had been rectified. “Still there are issues in some colleges that need to be addressed and I hope we can standardize the facilities within two years,” she said.

The minister also revealed that a Clinical Establishment Bill was to be introduced in the Assembly soon. This she said was being done to rope in private hospitals, that charge charge very high fee for treatment.