Ernakulam Government Medical College cardiology department still in coma

KOCHI: With the new principal of Ernakulam Government Medical College Dr Sreekala assuming charge on Friday, the priority will be to have a proper cardiology wing in place including a cath lab and absorption of the staff including doctors into government service. The cardiology wing has been in bad shape for long but it could not be resolved by the previous principal Dr Aswini Kumar and the current principal in charge Dr Jayasree.

The District Collector Mr M.G. Rajamanickam who is the chairman of the Hospital Development Society, during his recent visit to the medical college, had told students who complained about the bad shape of the cardiology wing and cath lab that he had Rs 5 crore as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, given by different companies, which could be utilized for the cardiology department.

“He said that the medical college authorities including the principal and superintendent have to give a proposal with a plan for setting up the full fledged cath lab and cardiology department. He said only then could he proceed using the funds. With no principal in place we have been hamstrung. We hope that the new principal will take steps to address the issue comprehensively,” said an MBBS student.

According to the students, the department is functioning in a room now in the main block with a part-time cardiologist, in a medical college having 100 MBBS seats. “There is no cardiology ward. The block earmarked for cardiology in the new pay-ward building where the cancer centre OP is coming up, is now haunted by cattle during day time and antisocial elements at night,” said the student who preferred not to be named.