MLAs demand more specialist doctor posts in Malappuram

The District Development Committee (DDC) meeting has raised a demand to fill the shortage of specialist doctors in Malappuram.

MLAs P. Abdul Hameed and Kurukkoli Moideen made the demand at the meeting presided over by District Collector V.R. Vinod here on Tuesday.

While the Health department sanctioned 202 superspecialty and specialty posts for district, general and taluk hospitals across the State, Malappuram district got just four posts.

The MLAs argued that it was unfair and discriminatory towards the largest populated district in the State. They said distribution of speciality and superspeciality doctors should be equitable and fair.

District Medical Officer (DMO) T.K. Jayanthy said that a proposal had been sent to the government for creating 595 doctor posts in different hospitals in the district. The Collector suggested that the proposal be followed up through the Health department.

Mr. Moideen, Tirur MLA, pointed out that cancer patients at the Tirur District Hospital were facing delays in receiving medicines, and that, despite making payments, medicines were not being supplied by Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL). In response, the District Collector directed the DMO to coordinate with KMSCL and find a solution to the issue.

Dr. Jayanthy said that cancer OP and chemotherapy services were being provided at the Tirur District Hospital on all days except Sundays. She explained that due to a shortage of doctors in the hospital’s oncology department, services such as mammography and chemotherapy were being offered only on alternate days.