Prestigious Trivandrum Medical College Hospital transformed into a 'referral' hospital

The Trivandrum HospitalWith the stroke of a pen, the prestigious Trivandrum Medical College Hospital was transformed into a 'referral' hospital. The sudden change in its status - following the recommendations of the Pai Committee - has evoked both praise as well as condemnation. According to some observers, this seemed the only way out of a sordid impasse - near-total breakdown of amenities, deteriorating standards, and appalling lack of hygiene at the hospital.The hardest hit by this unprecedented move are the students and the large number of patients who have been attracted to the hospital over the years for its 'exclusive' treatment from a dedicated core of highly qualified doctors. Even today, crowds converge on its heavily guarded gates only to be turned back. The gates are opened only to those who carry a referral slip - a pink card.The spring cleaning in the wake of the recent change has affected a variety of patients within the rambling hospital premises. On any given day, there were at least 300 'floor patients' in addition to the regular 1,125 patients with beds. The so-called floor patients are a long-standing tradition of the hospital that allowed patients to occupy the extra space in the wards. Though an additional 166 beds have been allotted to the hospital, many had to be forcibly evicted from the campus.Diabetic Group: The worst affected among these are a group of 100 diabetic floor patients who have become an inalienable part of the hospital. Says Mathew, a spokesman for the group, who has already spent 13 years in the hospital. "If we are thrown out, it is certain death for us; this is our home. We won't go unless alternate arrangements are made for us." The group - consisting mostly of women and children from Quilon and Trivandrum districts - has evolved a peculiar life-style at the hospital. Women wearing baskets and (insert) Mathew:Among them are children who have matured into adults, and adults who have grown old and haggard all within the confines of the hospital. Some have even severed their links with their families and depend entirely on the opportunities offered by the hospital. Says Leelamani, 26, a debilitated diabetic patient: "The authorities told us we would get our free insulin even if we left. But where do we go? I have no house of my own." In addition to getting the daily dose of insulin, the group has also managed to eke out a living weaving baskets, running errands and attending to other sick patients. Even the health minister's persuasive power has failed to convince the group to move out voluntarily.Among others dissatisfied with the new arrangement are the students who also have legitimate grievances. They feel that the referral system could seriously impair the academic training of undergraduate students since common ailments would no longer be referred to the hospital. Argues Rajan, a fourth year medical student: "Till now, the stages in our evolution as full-fledged doctors were looked after. Now our exposure to the number and types of cases will be severely restricted."Scepticism: Authorities point to the expansion plans for peripheral medical centres where medical students are expected to serve time. But Sunil Chacko, the recently elected chairman of the Medical College Students' Association, is sceptical. Says Chacko: "We are willing to give it a try. But I can safely say that the peripheral centres will be improved only on paper. They are poorly equipped, there is no proper teaching staff, and modern medicine is unknown."But most doctors have a different story to tell. "The referral system should have been introduced five years ago. It's good that they have thought of implementing it at least now," feels Dr Joy Phillip, an assistant professor of medicine. The new system takes off the unreasonable work-load from the doctors' backs and releases them for more concentrated work on deserving cases. For example the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department normally processed 350 cases a day out of which only 30 per cent really required specialised attention. Says Usha Sadasivan, a tutor for the last five years: "If there was a toxaemia or anaemia case, or a problem in delivery, we were not in a position to give it all the care it needed, since we had the multitudes competing for our attention."But the Government means business. A senior staff member, Dr Jaisimhan was placed under suspension on February 25 for allegedly violating rules by ordering the guards at the entrance to allow someone in without a valid pink card. The students protested, and a token strike on February 26 paralysed the functioning of the college.The new state of affairs at the medical institution was, however, summed up by a senior officer who stated: "There can be no radical change, however essential and positive it may be, without some opposition and a few sacrifices."Published By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 22, 2013 12:57 IST--- ENDS ---

Download App

Get 37% off on an annual Print +Digital subscription of India Today Magazine

Prestigious Trivandrum Medical College Hospital transformed into a 'referral' hospital

With the stroke of a pen, the prestigious Trivandrum Medical College Hospital was transformed into a 'referral' hospital. The sudden change in its status - following the recommendations of the Pai Committee - has evoked both praise as well as condemnation.

PUBLICATIONS

TELEVISION

EVENTS

RADIO

GAMING

USEFUL LINKS

PRINTING

WELFARE

DISTRIBUTION

SYNDICATIONS

WEBSITES

EDUCATION