Kozhikode Medical College Hospital to implement strict referral system

KOZHIKODE: The Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (KMCH) authorities will impose strict implementation of referral system from next year onwards. According to the hospital authorities, the process of preparing a referral protocol is in the final stage. A protocol for the Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital has already been completed.

The referral system is being introduced to offer better health services by limiting the number of patients. As per the system only the patients who come with a referral note from the peripheral hospitals will be given advanced treatment at KMCH.

Though the previous government had introduced the system in 2009, it was not effective due to the absence of proper referral protocol.

Medical college principal Dr C Ravindran said the protocol will be distributed among the primary and secondary level health institutions in the district to ensure strict implementation of the system. The district health department here has already taken measures for the infrastructure development at government hospitals to support the referral system.

DMO Dr P K Mohanan said the protocol will cover the 91 health institutions in the district. "The doctors in 73 primary health centres can refer patients to seven taluk hospitals. The doctors in taluk hospitals can refer patients to two district hospitals in case the patient is in need of advanced treatment. The doctors in the district hospitals can then refer the patients to KMCH, if needed."

"We have already submitted a memorandum to the health secretary urging the department to introduce the system only after ensuring adequate facilities at district and taluk hospitals," said state president of KGMOA O Vasudevan