Kochi Cancer Centre banks on Ernakulam Government Medical College support
KOCHI: Two surgeons have already joined the Kochi Cancer Centre outpatient wing while a third one is set to join as medical superintendent at the Centre which is set for the formal opening on Friday by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. However the OP wing which has facilities for chemotherapy does not have facilities for surgery and the fledgling centre is set to bank heavily on the adjoining Ernakulam Government Medical College to cater to the patients meaningfully.
“The major concern is the current work culture prevailing at the medical college which has to change to serve the cancer centre and its patients meaningfully. A lot of facilities like ICU, laboratory, operation theatres and even wards at the medical college have to be used to take care of cancer patients who need them. Patients who undergo chemotherapy are susceptible to infection and the medical college facilities should step in any such emergencies,” said Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer Movement volunteer Dr N.K. Sanil Kumar.
He said that since the doctors appointed at the cancer centre are senior doctors, house surgeons and PG students at the medical college have to step in to take care of cancer centre patients during night. “This would be beneficial to their study also and government medical institutions in the state have already fostered such a culture which needs to be only replicated here. The medical college principal is the governing council member of the cancer centre and she should ensure that,” Dr Sanil Kumar added.
EMC Principal Dr V.K. Sreekala said that the medical college is ready to offer full support to the cancer centre and is already doing so. “The facilities at the medical college are for the cancer centre patients also. The house surgeons and PG students will take care of the cancer centre patients at the medical college facilities. The medical college top level people including me were involved in every process of the cancer centre including selection of personnel,” Dr Sreekala added.
