KGMOA slams 12-hour specialty roll-out at Punalur Taluk Hospital without adequate preparations

The Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) has expressed strong opposition to the State government's decision to implement 12-hour specialty services at Punalur Taluk Hospital in Kollam, without ensuring adequate preparations or filling existing vacancies. The association had initially welcomed the announcement of expanded specialty services, but now asserts that launching the scheme prematurely presents significant challenges for both healthcare professionals and patients.

According to KGMOA representatives, a previous high-level meeting with the State Health Minister had determined that nine doctors per specialty were required to operate extended stay duties until 8 p.m. effectively. The government had pledged to deploy replacement staff in other healthcare facilities when doctors were transferred to Punalur, aiming to maintain uninterrupted patient care throughout the region.

However, the association claims that Punalur Taluk Hospital currently suffers from a severe shortage of medical personnel. Prior to the rollout, the hospital had only a limited number of specialists on its staff. Although some additional pediatricians, gynecologists, anesthesiologists, orthopedic specialists, and general medicine doctors were brought in through redeployment, the KGMOA maintains that the facility's total workforce remains inadequate to sustain seamless specialty operations around the clock.

The association also points out the adverse impact of this move on neighboring medical facilities. Doctors were redeployed from Kundara Taluk Hospital, Nedungolam Taluk Hospital, and Anchal Community Health Centre without providing any replacement personnel, causing disruptions and a decline in patient care at those hospitals. The KGMOA has called on health authorities to immediately suspend the decision to operate specialty services until 8 p.m. until sufficient staffing is secured across all departments, urging the government to prioritize proper human resources management to prevent compromising the quality of care and overburdening medical professionals.