THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the government taking it slow on providing the newly created Idukki medical college with adequate teaching, clinical and accommodation facilities, both doctors and students are keeping their fingers crossed ahead of the second year MBBS classes that are set to begin next month.
Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA), the premier organisation of medical college doctors in the state, has expressed concern over the pace of work at the new medical college.
The 55-odd students in the medical college had an almost smooth run in their first year but the second year is going to be harder as they will have practical classes and meet patients especially in medicine, gynaecology and surgery outpatient wings.
Considering the existing facilities at the medical college, holding out patient wings for six days a week appears to be impossible especially due to absence of required faculty.
The number of gynaecologists and physicians are not enough to continue outpatient services through the week. While the sanctioned strength is 120, only 60 doctors have been posted in the new medical college.
In the absence of residential accommodation, doctors are currently sharing hostel rooms students, taking up duties in rotating shifts and shuttling between different places every week.
Though a section of doctors had proposed shifting of the medical college to Thodupuzha town that has better facilities and a comparatively larger population from where it currently is, the government is not keen on the move due to public and political pressure.
Doctors only hope that the government will take immediate steps to adequate teaching and medical facilities in place after local bodies poll.
