Kochi: Boy forced to go to RCC as CCRC docs ‘unavailable’

Kochi: A 10-year-old boy from Aluva who needs immediate treatment for cancer was forced to go to Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) Thiruvananthapuram due to unavailability of doctors at Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC).

The patient from economically deprived family can’t afford expensive treatment in private hospitals, and his parents were compelled to take the boy to RCC.

“Since the boy is my patient, I contacted CCRC to refer him for chemotherapy. The woman staff who attended the call told me that there were no doctors in the hospital. And it was just 4.30 pm. Even the director, the superintendent and the resident officer were also absent. OP timing of all major hospitals is up to 7 pm while no doctors were there in the CCRC even at 4.30 pm,” said Dr Sanil Kumar of Justice Krishna Iyer movement.

“The CCRC has seven doctors, more than 50 nursing staff and facilities like a chemotherapy unit, operation theatre and intensive care unit. But the patients are not benefitted fully. It's an unfortunate situation. Patients like this boy have the right to get free medical care under the Karunya scheme from CCRC. I have submitted a complaint to the district collector, who is the special officer of CCRC, seeking immediate actions against CCRC officials.”

CCRC director Dr Mony Kuriakose, however, said the officials are not aware of such a patient being denied treatment at the centre. “We give appointment for the next day when a patient comes for chemotherapy procedure,” he said.

The working hours of CCRC are from 8.30 am to 4:30 pm, Dr Kuriakose  said.