It is a parting gift to their college. Students of the 2009 MBBS batch of Government Medical College, who will bid adieu to their alma mater next week, have launched an android app – TMC Pathfinder, a one-stop platform for all information related to the hospital.
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“If at all you happen to be on the Government Medical College campus, it is easy to get lost. Even those who study or teach on the campus aren’t familiar with the hospital. Although we have been on this campus for nearly six years, we, at times, find it difficult to guide people when they ask us about a particular department or ward. The hospital has 36 departments. In addition to the main Medical College hospital block, there is the super speciality block and SAT Hospital, all on the campus itself, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology at General Hospital Junction and Chest Disease Hospital, Pulayanarkotta. The app gives you details about all these departments,” says Abdul Sameer, one of the house surgeons of the batch. In addition, there is information about Outpatient (OP) days, important phone numbers, medicines in stock and different facilities available at the hospital and the cost.
The house surgeons worked for over seven months to collect the data. “Our senior batch had brought out a guide, also called Pathfinder, which had guidelines for house surgeons and some contact numbers. That book was an inspiration to launch the app. It wasn’t easy. Nevertheless, the fact that we house surgeons are posted in almost all the departments of the hospital really helped. Each of us collected as much information as we could from the respective departments. Technical help was given by the team at Dexrtroways Software Solutions, Kowdiar, ” Dr. Sameer says.
The app also has a section on latest developments in the medical field, about the Rashtriya Swasthya Bhima Yojana (RSBY) scheme and Karunya pharmacy. A map of the campus and various blocks have been uploaded.
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A highlight is the section on blood donors. “Their blood groups and phone numbers have been uploaded. Those interested can register their names,” says Ajas Ibrahim, another house surgeon. Once the app is downloaded for free from Google play store, it can be accessed without Internet. But Internet connection is needed to access the blood donors’ section.
The app comes close on the heels of another initiative of the 200-strong batch – the Save a Life campaign in which they trained autorickshaw drivers in first aid and trauma care. The app was launched at closing ceremony of this campaign held last month. “Till now it was accessible only for the staff and students. Now we are bringing it to the public,” says Dr. Sameer.
The alumni association of the college has agreed to keep the app updated once these house surgeons pass out. There is an official handing over ceremony on November 29.