Kozhikode: No radiologist; maternity hospital sends patients out

KOZHIKODE: The 113-year-old government hospital for women and children at Kottaparamba here does not have the  post of a radiologist. The NABH-accredited hospital is the largest one in maternity and child care serving  thousands of people of Malabar. Earlier, a radiologist was here on working arrangement but she was sent back in July. Now, around 25 to 30 pregnant women admitted here are sent to the medical college hospital for scanning daily. “It is shocking  that we don’t have the post of a radiologist. Sending carrying women to medical college hospital is a risky affair,” says hospital superintendent Dr K.C. Rameshan.

The hospital is following a staff pattern of 1961 and is short of a minimum 80 staff counting all sections. “Laboratory and blood bank are now functioning round the clock but with a single staff member. Similarly, there were many government schemes launched over the years. But office strength is that of decades old,” lamented a senior doctor, who preferred anonymity.

Besides this, vacancies are also hitting the functioning  of the hospital. There is shortage of nutritionist, electrician, plumber, pharmacist and nurses. Earlier, the authorities had sent a request to the government for allowing 69 persons to fill the vacancies, but to no effect. Now, the second proposal is getting ready to be sent to the new government. The 295-bed hospital is the oldest in Malabar.