SCTIMST Criticised Over Long Surgery Waiting Lists and Cancellations

The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), one of the country's leading teaching hospitals and the only hospital under the Department of Science and Technology, is currently facing criticism for delays in treatment, long waiting periods for surgery, and last-minute appointment cancellations.

According to a report by The Hindu, Member of Parliament Kodikkunniil Suresh has demanded an immediate solution to patient care issues at SCTIMST in a statement, specifically highlighting the long waiting periods to receive treatment.

A senior administrative official stated that they are aware of the difficulties faced by patients, but there is no simple solution to these problems. He added that the number of patients has increased to such an extent that perhaps three SCTIMSTs would be needed to reduce the waiting period and provide immediate attention to everyone.

Furthermore, the official mentioned that frequent requests are made by various political leaders to move patients from their constituencies forward in the queue. However, being a leading public sector institution, they must remain fair to everyone and cannot change priorities, leaving them helpless.

SCTIMST has long been burdened by a shortage of faculty and an immense load of patients. The situation has worsened recently, resulting in waiting periods of 6 months to 1 year for cardiac surgery and over 4 months for neurosurgery. Currently, the management prioritizes emergency cases, while elective cases are given later dates.

A faculty member of the institution stated that they cannot conduct surgeries 24 hours a day because excessive turnover could lead to issues such as lapses in infection control and errors in decision-making, which would compromise patient safety. He further added that when emergency cases are prioritized, many elective cases are pushed back. If 3 or 4 emergency cases arrive on a particular day, the elective cases scheduled for that day are postponed, lengthening the waiting list. Last-minute cancellation of surgeries and invasive procedures has become a reality.

Doctors at the hospital stated that highly skilled people work at the institution, but high attrition has recently become the biggest problem. Highly trained and experienced faculty members in cardiac and neuro specialties are leaving SCTIMST in search of better working environments and opportunities for skill expansion.

A faculty member stated that talented people do not stay here because they feel their intellectual growth is being stunted due to red tape and procedural delays. The process of obtaining permission to present papers at conferences is also very tedious. With 4 faculty members leaving in the last 2 years, the waiting list for cardiac surgery is increasing. In the neurosurgery department, 2 doctors have left their jobs while another is on long leave.

Sources at the institution stated that there is a shortage of equipment, accessories, and annual maintenance due to non-payment to suppliers on time. This is affecting the efficiency and lifespan of expensive equipment. Requests from equipment suppliers remain pending, but everything is stalled due to rules and procedural hurdles, and no active effort is being made to move them forward.

Furthermore, a new 9-storey, 2,70,000 square foot building was recently sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), featuring 9 operation theatres, 3 cath labs, and MRI and CT scan suites. However, except for the outpatient department and pay ward facilities, the operation theatres and other facilities have not yet been made operational, which is increasing the delay in patient care.