Kozhikode: In a move that has sparked concern among healthcare professionals and the public, a dozen doctors from various departments at the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Kozhikode have been temporarily transferred to the Government Medical College in Wayanad. The transfer order, dated June 4, is reportedly part of preparations for an upcoming National Medical Commission (NMC) assessment.
Doctors from key departments such as anaesthesia, gynaecology, paediatrics, ophthalmology, pharmacology, microbiology, forensic medicine, community medicine, and anatomy are among those affected. Sources said that additional faculty members from medical colleges in Thrissur, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram have also been deputed to Wayanad, taking the total number of transferred staff to around 20.
The transfers come at a time when GMCH Kozhikode is overwhelmed due to a spike in seasonal diseases like leptospirosis, dengue, Hepatitis A, and influenza. Patient numbers have surged, leading to severe overcrowding, with hospital beds falling short and patients reportedly forced to lie on the floor for treatment. The situation has been worsened by recent fire incidents in the hospital’s accident and emergency care building, adding to the strain on staff and infrastructure.
Following the fire, the casualty department was relocated to an older building, which reportedly lacks essential space and infrastructure, causing additional challenges for both medical staff and patients.
While the faculty relocation is described as temporary, no official word has been given on whether the transferred doctors will be replaced at Kozhikode MCH. This uncertainty has led to unease within the medical community, with concerns that academic training and patient care could be compromised at a time when the institution is already functioning under intense pressure.
As Kozhikode continues to battle a high patient load and inadequate facilities, the timing of the transfers — though aimed at facilitating NMC assessment at Wayanad — is being widely questioned for its potential impact on healthcare delivery and medical education in one of Kerala’s busiest tertiary hospitals.
