Cancer Surgeries Delayed at Kottayam Medical College as Contract Doctors’ Tenure Ends

Kottayam: Patients are facing hardship at the Kottayam Medical College’s cancer treatment department after the contracts of doctors employed on a temporary basis ended, disrupting the timely conduct of surgeries. Indefinite delays in pre-scheduled operations are posing a threat to the lives of cancer patients. Several patients have had their surgeries postponed over the past month.

The crisis was primarily triggered by the expiry of the contracts of two junior doctors working in the cancer surgery department last month. Only one oncology surgeon is currently available in the department.

Although the issue has been brought to the attention of the Health Minister’s office and the Director of Medical Education, no urgent action has been taken so far. Complex surgeries are being delayed due to the shortage of doctors.

The contracts of temporary employees serving as staff nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians have also expired. The tenures of temporary staff in the gastroenterology department are also nearing their end.