88 doctors to Konni; Treatment in medical colleges will be disrupted, Sabarimala pilgrims treated in Konni

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a major crisis unfolding in the state's medical colleges as 88 doctors have been temporarily transferred to Konni Medical College deviating from standard practice due to the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

This sudden transfer has left other medical colleges short-staffed causing a potential healthcare crisis. The situation is exacerbated as these doctors now stand as onlookers at Konni, a medical facility ill-equipped to handle the influx of patients. Surgeries are being postponed and patients across various medical colleges are facing difficulties in receiving timely treatment.

The transfer includes 42 doctors from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, 32 from Kottayam, 10 from Alappuzha and even key members from specialized departments such as cardiology in Ernakulam Medical College. This exodus of doctors is leaving assistant professors in a difficult situation impacting MBBS students' education and potentially forcing them to take exams without adequate teaching.

The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) has stepped forward to oppose these transfers, highlighting the negative repercussions on medical education and healthcare delivery.

The Ministry of Health's decision to transfer doctors to hospitals along the Sabarimala pilgrimage route like Pampa, Apachemedu, Marakoottam, Neelimala and Sannidhanam on Kananapatha has further exacerbated the shortage of medical personnel in other essential medical facilities.

This rearrangement appears to be an attempt to mask the shortfall in staffing at Konni Medical College by redirecting attention during the pilgrimage. Consequently, the Medical Council has temporarily permitted MBBS admissions due to the doctor shortage.

The inadequate infrastructure at Konni Medical College with only two ICU beds and an under-equipped operation theater, poses a significant risk to patient care. Moreover, the distance from Pathanamthitta General Hospital to Konni – 75 km – presents challenges in timely patient transfer potentially jeopardizing lives.

The Health Department urgently needs to reconsider this decision and take practical measures to rectify the mistake, ensuring adequate staffing and resources across all medical colleges to safeguard patient care and medical education.

-- Dr Nirmal Bhaskar, President, KGMCTA