The government is working on a plan to resolve the shortage of teachers and provide better infrastructure at the Manjeri medical college, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja informed the Assembly on Friday.
Replying to the notice for an adjournment motion moved by M. Ummer on the urgent need to address the lack of adequate facilities at the institution, she said three new teachers had already been appointed in the General Surgery department. The faculties of Medicine and Gynaecology departments would be supplemented soon.
ECG and colour doppler machines had been installed, a well-stocked library established and efforts were on to create new posts for the teaching, non-teaching and nursing departments.
The government had sanctioned ₹77 lakh for the students’ hostel and staff quarters. The Minister said a ₹146-crore package for the Manjeri medical college was awaiting funds from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
Blame game
The Minister said the issues faced by the Manjeri medical college could be traced to the hasty decision by the previous UDF regime to open five new medical colleges without adequate preparations or a development plan. Reacting to the charge, Mr. Ummer said the government was trying to shift the blame to the previous UDF regime. He called for immediate steps to settle the stir launched by students at the Manjeri medical college demanding better facilities.
Based on the Minister’s reply, Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan refused permission for the House to take up the issue for discussion. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the government had done little to improve facilities for the new medical colleges. He, however, said the Opposition respected the government’s assurance on the Manjeri medical college.
Strike called off
Meanwhile, the striking students of Government Medical College, Manjeri, ended their four-day-old agitation on Friday following assurances by the government that their demands would be met soon.
