ALAPPUZHA : The State Government should appoint a special officer for expediting the shifting of Alappuzha Medical College Hospital (MCH) functioning in the town to the Medical College campus at Vandanam, near Ambalappuzha. This was expressed by participants at a discussion on the ``Lack of basic facilities at Alappuzha Medical College and its solutions'' organised by Alappuzha Press Club on Saturday said.

The former Minister K.C. Venugopal, MLA, said that space shortage and other infrastructure could be overcome by shifting the MCH to Vandanam. He said that the amount earmarked in budgets every year was not sufficient for shifting the hospital. He said that agencies like the NABARD should be approached for getting more funds needed for shifting.

Mr. Venugopal said that doctors were not interested in working in Alappuzha MCH. This situation should change. He called for more coordination in the administrative wing of the MCH.

Municipal chairman P.P. Chitharanjan said the MCH, which has 733 beds now, admitted more than 1,500 patients. Mr. Chitharanjan said the LDF Government had assured that money would not be a problem for shifting the MCH and implementing development activities there. Mr. Chitharanjan said the Hospital Development Committee would be reconstituted soon. He said the Health Minister had given an assurance to fill the vacancies of paramedical staff at the MCH. College Principal Shaji Prabhakaran said only a concerted effort from political leaders and heads of administration at the medical college could realise the dream of development. He said he had submitted a project estimate of Rs.20 crores to the Government.

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