No More COVID Admissions at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Research Institute

This decision of the Health Department comes as an attempt to revive the normal functioning of the outpatient departments of the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Research Institute.

The decision was taken after the Chief Minister's directive to the department to revive functioning of outpatient units and the overall functioning of the college. The medical college remained the main centre in providing treatment to virus infected patients during the first and second waves.

"Only a few patients are remaining at the medical college. We have stopped new admissions. Already 22 patients have been admitted at GHCD for COVID-19 treatment," a senior Health Department official told media persons from The Hindu.

This did not go down well with the opposition leaders of the state. Opposition leader R. Siva has urged the government to reconsider the decision. In the wake of warnings by experts about a possible third wave of COVID-19, the decision to close the medical college for treatment could hamper the government's efforts to contain the virus at an early stage, he said in a statement.

The second wave of the COVID pandemic saw many families struggle due to a dearth of COVID beds in the country as well as basic facilities like ICU rooms and oxygen cylinders.

"The hospital played a key role in providing timely treatment for patients during peak time of the virus in the UT. It used to treat more than 400 patients at one time. It is the only centre under government control with all facilities. So, the decision not to admit COVID-19 patients should be revisited," he added.