Kerala: PG students in GMC Ernakulam face infrastructure challenges

Kerala: PG students in GMC Ernakulam are staring at a difficult situation since there is a lot more attention required at the college premise. More specifically, there is a demand for more infrastructure and additional facilities, essential for students to finish their education in the college.

It is reported that the decade and a half old medical college still does not have few specialities and super- specialities. The on-ground situation is difficult for UG students as well. They are required to appear for exams for some subjects, held at other institutions. This is due to lack of facilities and shortage of staff at the college.

The medical college has been under the government custody since 2013. It has been facing trouble over delay in the integration process. There is also reported a lack of budget granted in the last few years.

On the other hand, the patient footfall has been increasing in the medical college. It has gone up many-fold, leading to further pressure on the existing infrastructure.

Though the one-day OP for cardiology allows only 40 patients, there would be over a hundred a day if there was a proper department, the sources said to the Hindu.

At present, the GMC requires special care from the state government to boost up facilities and guard its image of providing good tertiary medical care to patients.

Also, there is a reported shortage of faculty at GMC Ernakulam. An inspection by MCI is likely to happen soon. Following which, DME’s decision to transfer doctors, has further irked the staff working in the institute. This had led to the teachers serving a notice, calling an academic strike on May 31.

As reported by the MD team earlier, after the government took hold of the college, it has been constantly facing the challenge of integrating human resources into the new management. 11 posts for doctors are lying vacant, as 15 doctors have recently left the institution. In total, 148 posts have been created. 202 doctors are required at the medical college to retain the health ministry recognition. However, the stand-alone status of the college, during its integration in 2013 does not allow it to transfer doctors. The teachers in the college are now upset over senior officials trying to move beyond the agreement. They do not like health officials to post people as they want.