Health department in Kerala is rolling out a pilot project to tackle overcrowding in medical college hospitals (MCHs) by boosting district and taluk hospitals. Part of the 100-day action plan from newly elected United Democratic Front (UDF) government,this aims to stop patients from lying on floors in crowded wards.
Key to strategy is a "back-referral" system . MCHs won't take more patients than beds available. Instead,patients get initial treatment,then head back to district and taluk hospitals for follow-up. This should reduce pressure on MCHs,which are swamped with patients .
Govt plans to upgrade facilities at district and taluk hospitals . Many have multi-storeyed buildings sitting unused due to missing essentials like electricity,water,and medical gear. Health department's making these places operational,including those built for isolation wards and dialysis units.
Shortage of specialist doctors in these hospitals also needs attention. Department plans to temporarily appoint general cadre doctors with specialty degrees to fill gaps in care. This move is meant to strengthen medical workforce where most needed.
Right now,MCHs are in a tight spot. At Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode,eight wards packed with patients dealing with seasonal illnesses. Old casualty ward used for General Medicine admissions,but overcrowding persists...What next?
