A march was taken out to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode on Monday against the alleged neglect of Cherappa Health Centre. , Photo credits: K. Ragesh
A mass action committee led by members of the Mavoor grama panchayat took out a protest march on Monday to the office of the Principal, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, against the alleged neglect of a health center at Cherappa, the only such facility in their area. ,
The protesters pointed out that thousands of patients, not only residents of Mavoor, but also those from nearby gram panchayats like Peruvayal, Chathamangalam, and Perumanna in Kozhikode and Vazhakkad in Malappuram, were affected by the recent suspension of inpatient (IP) services. Center.
The medical college, which is under the Directorate of Medical Education, used to manage the IP services, while the outpatient (OP) services are handled by the District Medical Officer under the Directorate of Health Services. The center earlier provided 24×7 services with in-house surgeons of the medical college being stationed there.
However, the IP services were discontinued last month following the murder of house surgeon Vandana Das at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital. This was based on a government order canceling night shift duties of house surgeons in rural hospitals until a safety audit was conducted. The hospital does not have a medical officer and closed-circuit television cameras at night, which are other mandatory requirements for 24×7 services. OP services were also stopped in the afternoon.
During this, the panchayat officials told that the functioning of the health center has been affected earlier also due to the dual control system. The buildings are in a dilapidated condition and the road to the facility is in poor condition. A central grant of lakhs of rupees lapsed as an implementing officer was not appointed to look after its development works.
The protest march was stopped at the entrance of the Medical College. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the principal, Mallika Gopinath. In the memorandum, they demanded that two medical officers be posted at the health center to ensure round-the-clock IP and casualty services. New posts of doctors can be created if needed. The Medical Officer shall reside in the Staff Quarters located in the premises. He said that a committee comprising public representatives, district collector, DMO and principal of the medical college should be constituted to ensure all-round development of the centre.
The action committee is staging an indefinite dharna outside the health center from June 13. Though steps have been taken to appoint a medical officer and two house surgeons and extend OP services till 6 pm, the committee said their agitation will continue. Till 24×7 services are restored.