By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
Health Minister Veena George on Friday (September 3) launched the MBBS course at the Kasaragod Government Medical College, calling it a historic milestone for the district’s health sector.
“This moment answers the long-standing questions and concerns of Kasaragod—whether a medical college would ever be possible here, and how Kerala’s health sector would move forward,” Ms. George said at the launch function held at the college in Ukkinadukka.
She announced that a new block would be opened at the medical college hospital within four months, and that the State’s best speciality centre for endosulfan victims, equipped with physiotherapy and occupational therapy facilities, would also be established at the hospital. With medical colleges now set up in Kasaragod and Wayanad, every district in Kerala has both medical and nursing colleges, she said.
“It was a challenge to meet all the criteria set by the National Medical Commission to secure approval, but we succeeded. This is a collective achievement,” she said, thanking all who supported the project since land was handed over in 2013 and construction began in 2016.
Recalling the pandemic crisis, the Minister said that a hospital was set up in the academic block when Karnataka closed its borders. So far, 273 teaching and non-teaching posts have been created, ₹160 crore allocated through KIIFB, and additional funds provided under the Kasaragod Development Package for a laboratory.
She also added that 1,837 procedures had already been completed in the cath lab at the district hospital and announced plans to extend cath lab facilities to all districts.
The function was presided over by MLA N.A. Nellikunnu, while MP Rajmohan Unnithan attended as the chief guest. Director of Medical Education K.V. Viswanathan presented the report. MLAs C.H. Kunhambu and A.K.M. Ashraf were also present.
