More than 40 patients received medical advice and treatment at Gastroenterology department at Ernakulam General Hospital in August alone, says T. Paulose George, a retired senior consultant gastroenterologist who oversees the department’s operations.
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT
The Gastroenterology department at Ernakulam General Hospital (GH) is likely to get a regular outpatient (OP) facility, according to hospital sources.
A new post for a medical gastroenterologist is expected to be created in the department, paving the way for the start of OP services. Hospital sources said the government order creating the post is awaited.
Once the doctor is posted, the department could start a basic outpatient facility and provide medical services to the public, moving beyond internal referrals. The department currently operates entirely through the voluntary services of a doctor and private sponsorship.
“At present, there is no OP being held, and we are not able to entertain patients from outside as all appointments are referral-based now. We might be able to provide three OPs per week if the doctor is appointed,” said GH superintendent Dr. Prebhudas R.
The department’s services are currently limited to internal referrals from physicians and surgeons at the GH and the adjacent cancer centre. It offers colonoscopy, endoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and related treatments.
Hibi Eden, MP, said that all efforts were being made to strengthen patient care and offer gastroenterology services to the public. “There is no gastro department in the public sector in the district. The facility was started at GH when a UK-returned doctor offered to provide his services free of cost, and we could provide the required infrastructure using CSR funds. For the next phase of expansion, we need to strengthen the manpower. Once this is done, we can start a regular OP for the department,” said Mr. Eden.
The department, which was started early this year on a pilot basis, has offered medical services to over 150 people. More than 40 patients received medical advice and treatment at the department in August alone, said T. Paulose George, a retired senior consultant gastroenterologist who oversees the department’s operations.
“While there is much pressure to start the OP facility, starting that could drive up the numbers, and the patient load could be too large to manage, which is why new posts have to be created in the department. We believe that once the OP services start, daily patient visits could rise to 100,” said Dr. George.
The department functions Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Published – August 25, 2026 01:07 am IST
