A series of name boards broke out at Manjeri Medical College

Controversy has erupted over the naming of Government Medical College, Manjeri, after a new board displayed at the head office on Saturday evening (June 27) referred to it as Government Medical College, Malappuram.

The Malayalam version of the board created confusion and a political backlash, with Manjeri MLA M. Rahmatullah questioning how the name change was done.

The medical college authorities clarified that the change was the fault of the Public Works Department (PWD), which is responsible for installing the board. They said the official name of the institution remained Government Medical College, Manjeri and no decision had been taken to change it.

After a public outcry, the PWD removed the section referring to Malappuram from the board.

Officials reiterated that there was no change in the institution’s name and no intent behind the error.

The Government Medical College, Manjeri was formerly the Government General Hospital, Manjeri, which was upgraded to a medical college in 2013 by the UDF government.

The decision was criticized at the time because the district lost its only general hospital after the upgrade.

Lack of adequate space and infrastructure in the existing facility in the congested city of Manjeri is also a long-term problem.

To address the issue, the VD Satheesan-led UDF government announced the upgrade of the Taluk Government Hospital in Malappuram to a general hospital as part of efforts to improve health facilities in the district.

Published – 29 Jun 2026 23:04 IST