Palakkad Medical College house surgeons go on strike over lack of basic facilities

Palakkad: House surgeons and doctors at Government Medical College Hospital, Palakkad, have gone on strike, protesting the lack of essential basic facilities at the hospital.

The strike followed an accident on the medical college campus on Monday, after which injured doctors were reportedly referred to the district hospital for further examination and treatment. The incident highlighted the deficiencies at the medical college and prompted doctors to raise concerns over the lack of basic diagnostic services, reports The Daily.

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As per Samakali Kamalayalam, there are no X-rays or CT scans. Doctors say that there are no essential facilities if a patient comes. Doctors also say that if an accident victim needs an X-ray or CT scan, he should be referred to the district hospital.

The protesting doctors alleged that such referrals can result in significant delays, with diagnostic reports reportedly taking around three to four hours to be obtained. Such delays could adversely affect critically ill patients whose condition may deteriorate while awaiting diagnosis.

The duty doctors also pointed out that Palakkad District Medical College is the only medical college in the country functioning under the Scheduled Castes Development Department.

The strike has brought renewed attention to the condition of the medical college and raised questions about the availability of emergency diagnostic services for patients seeking treatment there.

Medical Dialogues had recently reported that a medical officer at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital in Kerala’s Kollam district has been sent on compulsory leave following allegations of rude and inappropriate behaviour towards a patient and his attendants in the hospital’s casualty department. The action was taken after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media, drawing public criticism and prompting an official inquiry.

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