Kerala Government Implements Medical Audits

Thiruvananthapuram: In response to numerous complaints of medical negligence against state-run hospitals, the Kerala government announced on Friday the implementation of medical audits across all its hospitals to address these issues. This initiative was revealed by State Health Minister Veena George.

A medical audit, conducted by an expert committee, will re-evaluate the treatment protocols provided to patients. Minister George also mentioned that although government medical colleges previously had a death audit system in place, it had been discontinued. The reintroduction of medical audits aims to ensure better accountability and address issues of medical negligence effectively.

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"We, however, have reintroduced the death audit in all medical colleges and have told them to follow it strictly. With regard to medical audit, we are formulating the protocol and we will implement it," she said. According to PTI, she said the death audit -- investigating the cause of death and the treatment protocols followed -- which was once implemented in the government medical colleges, has stopped "somehow".

"The government was very serious about this and we have reintroduced it in all medical colleges," the minister said. George said the World Health Organization (WHO) also has a five-point checklist, cross-checking the medical care imparted in hospitals, especially in operation theatres. "We are introducing the medical audit and the protocol is being finalised," she said. In recent weeks, several complaints regarding medical negligence were raised in government hospitals, especially in Alappuzha and Kozhikode Medical Colleges.

The government has initiated an inquiry and action has been taken against doctors who were found guilty of negligence, the minister said.

At Alappuzha Medical College, it was found out that the doctors have been spending more time for private practices, compromising their duty in government hospitals. "The government is taking this issue very seriously and appropriate action will be taken against them. We have reports regarding government doctors indulging in private practices, not just from Alappuzha Medical College but from other hospitals as well. Many have been transferred based on the report," the minister said.

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She said the Alappuzha District Medical Officer has submitted a report to the government on Thursday and appropriate action would be taken against those who are found guilty. The minister, however, said that the media should abstain from painting all government hospitals as bad. "We have doctors who work for 15 to 18 hours a day in government hospitals. Initially, we had only 30 percent of people who depended on government hospitals and now it is more than 60 percent. "So, our government hospitals are centres of excellence and please do not tarnish them using isolated cases," George said.