Permission delayed, no MBBS admissions in Kasaragod Medical College this year either

KASARAGOD: The Kasaragod Medical College, which the government promised to start functioning soon, will not be operational this academic year either. The National Medical Council conducted an inspection in July to assess the facilities, but did not give permission. As the MBBS admission process has already entered the second phase, the possibility of starting college this year ended in dismay. The Kasaragod General Hospital, which is 27 kilometres away from the medical college campus, was set up as the medical college hospital.

The Director of Medical Education claims that the hospital has met the requirements of a 220-bed hospital and three years of inpatient treatment experience.

The online inspection conducted on July 1 examined the visuals of the hospital, OP and IP facilities, and the hospital building.

Doctors and staff appointed on deputation were present at the virtual meeting.

In the review meeting held in Kannur, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the Health Department Secretary informed that MBBS admissions would be held this year.

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy laid the foundation stone for Ukkinadka on November 30, 2013. The target was a 500-bed hospital and 100 students, and it was announced that the hospital would start operating in 2015. The foundation stones of Konni, Idukki, Manjeri and Palakkad medical colleges were also laid, but Kasaragod was left behind. In 2014, administrative approval was granted for the construction of the hospital building, valued at Rs. 62.45 crore.

In 2017, the LDF government revised the expenditure to Rs 95.8 crore. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for the approved projects on November 25, 2018. Currently, OP treatment is available only for the sake of it.