Amid concerns raised by the health minister over the alleged maligning of the public health system, a notice that appeared in one of the wards at the Government Medical College Hospital in Pathanamthitta on Wednesday further exposed the hospital’s shortcomings – much to the embarrassment of the authorities.
A sign posted on the walls in the hospital’s surgical wing stated that patients coming in for surgery should be aware of the hospital’s limitations, including the lack of adequate equipment that could pose life-threatening risks. She also emphasized that the notice was issued because the doctors performing the surgeries will bear full responsibility for the patients.
Once the images of the notice came to public attention, the hospital’s chief executive intervened and had it removed.
Consent before surgery
Shortcomings highlighted in the notice included a lack of adequately trained staff, the risk of infection from peeling paint on the walls and the pharmacy not being operational after 5pm.
The notice also emphasized that patients should be fully informed of these limitations and should provide express consent before undergoing surgery and should be aware of the potential risks, including death.
Hospital management later confirmed that an explanation was requested from the head of the surgical department, Dr. Sivaprasad. “The notice was given without the consent of either the hospital director or other authorities concerned. Hence, an explanation was sought,” the official said.
The alleged strategy
However, sources at the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association described the episode as part of a wider effort to practice “defensive medicine”. “Health Minister Veena George, while fully aware of the systemic deficiencies in medical teaching hospitals, often targets doctors when incidents of system failure occur. As these deficiencies are rarely addressed proactively, doctors must take steps to protect themselves and this alert is part of that strategy,” they explained.
They added that notifications like these serve to directly inform patients while protecting doctors, citing the recent case of alleged medical negligence at Alappuzha Medical College as an immediate call for action.
Published – 11 March 2026 21:10 IST
