Wards in collapsed building were being shifted to new block, claims medical college Principal-OxBig News Network

The toilet complex adjacent to wards 10, 11, and 14 at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, collapsed even as the process of shifting these wards to a newly constructed surgical block was under way, hospital authorities said.

According to Varghese P. Punnose, Principal of the medical college, access to the toilet complex from wards 11 and 14 had already been fully restricted and the facility was no longer in use at the time of the collapse. However, his claim contradicts statements given to the media by several caregivers, who alleged that the toilets were still being used.

Dr. Punnose confirmed that all in-patients were safe and that those from the affected wards had been relocated to other areas within the hospital. The process of moving ICU and operation theatre facilities to the new surgical block is ongoing, with efforts being made on a war footing to ensure uninterrupted services.

By July-end

He further added that a meeting held on May 30, attended by Ministers Veena George and V.N. Vasavan, had decided that the old surgical block would be completely vacated and all hospital functions shifted to the new block by the end of July. “The transition process was already progressing at an accelerated pace. Directions had been issued for the newly built surgical block, constructed at a cost of ₹194.29 crore with KIIFB funds, to accommodate all wards, ICUs and operation theatres,” he said.