31 posts for doctors lying vacant at Ernakulam Medical College Hospital, reveals RTI

Kochi: While replying to a Right to Information (RTI), the Ernakulam Government Medical College Hospital stated that there are currently 139 doctors stationed across 26 departments, out of a total of 170 doctors. This indicates that there are 31 vacant positions within the hospital.

Government Medical College Ernakulam, (GMCE), Ernakulam is one of the premier medical institutions in the Kerala state that provides full-fledged medical facilities to the people is reeling under a major shortage of doctors with 31 posts lying vacant. 

The data was revealed when an activist Raju Vazhakkala filed an RTI query seeking the number of positions of doctors vacant at the hospital. 

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According to the data revealed by the Public Information Officer of the hospital, the Department of General Medicine currently has a shortage of six doctors, as there are only 14 doctors working in the department compared to the sanctioned strength of 20. Similarly, the Department of Physiology has four vacant positions out of the 10 sanctioned posts. In addition, the hospital employs 54 doctors on a contract basis, reports The Hindu.

Regarding the dialysis units, there are a total of 25 units available. However, only 20 units are currently in working condition. The remaining five units have reached the end of their lifespan and have been deemed condemned.

The fee for dialysis is set at Rs 420. However, this fee is waived for individuals falling under the below-poverty line category, as well as patients enrolled in the Karunya and Medisep programmes.

The GMCE was governed by the Co-operative Academy of Professional Education established by the Government of Kerala. Later in December 17, 2013 the Government took over the institution and now it is governed and managed by the Government of Kerala. The admissions and functioning of the college is according to the rules and regulations formulated by the Government of Kerala.

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