Infrastructure Lag Strains Haematology Services at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital
The proposal for an independent haematology department at Kozhikode MCH remains stalled despite rising patient volumes. Overcrowding has forced critically ill blood disorder patients into corridors, prompting a Human Rights Commission intervention.
Bureaucratic Delay and Overcrowded Wards
A long-standing proposal to establish an independent Department of Haematology at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Kozhikode remains stalled within the Directorate of Medical Education (DME). Currently, haematology services operate as an extension of General Medicine. This administrative arrangement has sparked growing concern among families and advocates who argue that the volume of cases necessitates a dedicated specialty unit with its own staff and resources.
Hospital data indicates that the General Medicine outpatient section handles 300 to 400 cases daily, with 100 to 130 admissions. The six existing units under the department can only accommodate roughly 30 patients each per day. While the local Haematology unit maintains 52 beds, demand frequently exceeds this limit. When wards are full, staff attempt to relocate patients to other areas, but the congestion often forces individuals—including those with compromised immunity—to wait on floors or in hallways.
Human Rights Commission Demands Action
Responding to a petition from the Kerala Blood Patients Protection Council, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission issued a directive on July 17. The Commission has ordered the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) and the DME to finalize a decision regarding the department's status immediately. To facilitate this, the Commission requested a detailed audit including:
- Required additional staff positions and medical posts.
- Specific infrastructure needs and building space.
- Funding requirements for a fully functioning specialty center.
Malabar's High Case Burden
Kareem Karassery, State president of the Kerala Blood Patients Protection Council, noted that the Malabar region sees a significantly higher frequency of disorders like haemophilia and thalassemia compared to other Kerala districts. The council has lobbied for a specialized treatment center at the MCH for two decades. College officials have acknowledged the crisis, citing that the sheer volume of patients often becomes uncontrollable under current constraints, leading to the recommendation for a separate department now awaiting DME approval.
Source: The Hindu — News
