KALAMASSERY CMC DIRECTOR NAMED SPECIAL OFFICER TO OVERSEE TAKEOVER

The government had first indicated its intention to take over the medical college in April

The medical director of the Cooperative Medical College (CMC), Kalamassery, Dr. Junaid Rahman, has been appointed special officer for the government takeover of the college. The decision came as part of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday.

The Health and Family Welfare Department that will bring the college under its purview like the other medical colleges in the State, has formed a panel of high-level officials to decide how to integrate the staff, equipment and facilities in the college under the Department of Medical Education.

The Director of Medical Education has also formed another panel of college faculty to inspect the medical college at Kalamassery.

Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar told The Hindu that the special officer will help speed up the proceedings of the government takeover. He will be assisting the panels appointed by the government with information on various facilities, the departments in the college and the staff structure which were till now under the Co-operative Academy of Professional Education.

Mr. Sivakumar said the government planned to complete all proceedings within two months, so that funds for the college could be allocated in the next budget.

Dr. Rahman took over as medical director of CMC in April this year after he retired from the Health Services as the District Medical Officer in Ernakulam.

The government had first indicated its intention to take over the medical college in April. However, the final decision came only two weeks ago.

Executive committee of CAPE that met in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday decided to maintain the status quo till the government proceedings of takeover are completed. This would take care of the salaries to be paid to the medical college employees.

The decision will prevent a deadlock on the routine needs of college functioning, Dr. Rahman told The Hindu.

Meeting postponed

The meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss setting up of a cancer centre at the CMC has been postponed to January 4. This was to accommodate the Chief Minister’s visit to Delhi as part of the Chief Ministers’ meeting called by the Prime Minister.

Both Mr. Sivakumar and Union Minister of State K. V. Thomas confirmed the change of dates. Mr. Thomas said the meeting at the ERnakulam Guest House would take up two issues, one on the cancer centre and the other on road overbridge at Pachalam.