Gastroenterology dept. at Ernakulam General Hospital likely to get OP facility
Ernakulam General Hospital is planning to establish a regular outpatient facility for its gastroenterology department. The hospital is currently awaiting a government order to create a medical gastroenterologist post to expand services beyond internal referrals.
Why it matters
This represents an important expansion of public healthcare access in a district currently lacking dedicated public sector gastroenterology services.
The Gastroenterology department at Ernakulam General Hospital (GH) is likely to get a regular outpatient (OP) facility, according to hospital sources.
A new post for a medical gastroenterologist is expected to be created in the department, paving the way for the start of OP services. Hospital sources said the government order creating the post is awaited.
Once the doctor is posted, the department could start a basic outpatient facility and provide medical services to the public, moving beyond internal referrals. The department currently operates entirely through the voluntary services of a doctor and private sponsorship.
“At present, there is no OP being held, and we are not able to entertain patients from outside as all appointments are referral-based now. We might be able to provide three OPs per week if the doctor is appointed,” said GH superintendent Dr. Prebhudas R.
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