Medical College Doctors Protests Temporary Doctor Postings at Konni MCH for Sabarimala Season

Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant development, over 150 doctors, comprising nearly 100 assistant professors and 60 senior residents from various medical college hospitals (MCHs), have been temporarily reassigned to Konni MCH to manage the increased healthcare demands during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

The relocation, which involves doctors from crucial departments such as orthopaedics, surgery, and emergency care, is set to last for a period of 60 days, spanning between November 15 and January 20.

The reassignments include a notable shift of three out of five orthopedic surgeons from the Ernakulam MCH to Konni MCH for a duration of 60 days. Additionally, around 40 doctors from the Thiruvananthapuram MCH, 10 doctors from the already short-staffed Alappuzha MCH, and nearly 30 doctors from the Kottayam MCH will be serving at Konni MCH during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

The decision to redirect medical personnel to Konni MCH, a key healthcare facility during the Sabarimala pilgrimage, has raised concerns about the potential impact on emergency care services at the doctors' home institutions. Notably, doctors responsible for critical services, including those in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), have also been included in the temporary staffing adjustment. The 60-day deployment of doctors, including those from emergency care units, has prompted concerns about the immediate and long-term effects on patient care.

KGMCTA state president Dr Nirmal Bhaskar also told the daily, "Pathanamthitta General Hospital used to be the base hospital during Sabarimala season. Now it is MCH, Konni. MCH doctors will be posted at medical facilities in Sannidhanam, Pamba, Appachimedu, and Neelimala. This means that a majority of them will be at Sabarimala and this will affect the functioning of other MCHs."

The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA) strongly opposes these temporary postings, citing concerns related to tertiary care and potential disruptions to academic sessions. The association stated that it will approach the government soon to address the issue. Most of the doctors deployed at Konni MCH for the pilgrimage duty are originally from Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Manjeri, and Ernakulam MCHs. Dr Binoy S, former state president of Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) told Times of India, "We have a National Medical Council-approved punching system and hence a doctor posted at Thiruvananthapuram MCH cannot punch from Konni, which will affect their medical registration."