Dialysis, gynaec wings at Ernakulam Government Medical College limping

KOCHI: The dialysis unit at the Ernakulam Government Medical College (EGMC) is in a semi-paralysed state with just technicians and nurses manning the section in the absence of services of a full-time nephrologist.

When DC queried with the reception section of the medical college over phone, it was reveled that the section, having five dialysis machines, is functioning only in the morning shift. The official manning reception said that in the absence of the nephrologist the second shift is not working now.

Sources said that no new admission is now allowed at the dialysis unit while those who continue to undergo dialysis face hassles. "Those who develop difficulties during dialysis now seek the assistance of general medicine doctors while patients who arrive with some sort of difficulty are referred to other hospitals. There is no one seriously responsible for the wing now to ensure that it functions properly and up to its potential. The condition of the machines also is not brought under proper check," said a source working at the hospital on condition of anonymity.

The gynaecology wing of the hospital is also critical with just three gynaecologists available to man the section after leave and off, sources said. "They are just able to meet the urgent requirements of the wing. There have been instances of delivery cases being referred to other hospitals because of doctor shortage," the source said.

Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Anil Kumar, when contacted, said he was not in a position to give an official reaction. A senior official of the hospital preferring not to be named said that both dialysis unit and gynaecology wing are able to work without interruption.

"It is true that the dialysis wing is not manned by a nephrologist now as the one manning the section has left it. The gynaecology wing has five doctors," the official claimed.