The family of D. Bindu, who lost her life in the building collapse at the Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), has welcomed a State Cabinet’s decision to provide financial aid. However, they emphasised that their immediate priority is the surgery of Bindu’s daughter, Navami.
“Right now, our only concern is our child’s health,” said Vishruthan, Bindu’s husband, who has been at the MCH in connection wih the surgery of his daughter. He expressed satisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation.
“It is good that the Cabinet has taken decisions. Let them announce and provide what they can. Offering a job to our son and other measures are all procedural. If they come through, that Is fine,” he added.
Review meeting
Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George convened a review meeting on Wednesday evening to assess the progress of work on the operation theatres in the new surgical block at the Kottayam MCH. The meeting directed the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) to complete the theatres within the stipulated timeline. Instructions were also given to ensure the PACS machine is made available at the earliest.
The meeting further directed that telephone connections and other essential utilities in the surgical block be arranged without delay, and that all pending construction work be completed on time. It was also decided that staff appointments should be made in line with the available infrastructure.
The Director of Medical Education and the General Manager of KMSCL were instructed to visit the college, assess the progress on-site and initiate necessary follow-up actions.
Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health department, State Mission Director of the National Health Mission, Principal and Superintendent of Kottayam MCH, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
Alternative building
Meanwhile, due to concerns regarding the structural safety of the men’s hostel block on the MCH campus, college authorities have decided to relocate medical students to an alternative building. According to officials, the students will be temporarily shifted to a newly constructed hostel designated for paramedical students. In the meantime, maintenance work of the men’s hostel block will be completed within a month.
The authorities also decided to expedite the procedures for constructing a new building for the men’s hostel. The proposal to construct a new hostel building at an estimated cost of ₹20.5 crore was submitted to the government around five months ago. However, no action has been taken so far.
Published – July 10, 2025 07:54 pm IST
