Kochi: The crisis in the palliative care (Saanthwana Paricharana) project under the Kochi corporation continues. Absence of the project implementation officer and issues related to disbursement of salaries have led to the crisis.
The superintendent of Fort Kochi taluk hospital was the current implementation officer; however, she was transferred on Aug 5. A total of 22,802 people have registered to receive palliative care within the corporation limits. There are eight doctors, 17 nurses, four pharmacists, three lab technicians, two optometrists, and two radiographers in the palliative care team of the corporation.
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However, we have started to give the emoluments using our own fund,” Kochi corporation, health standing committee chairperson Seena Gokulan said. The issue of absence of the project implementation officer has not come to her notice, she said. The palliative care sector, including in the corporation, had been facing issues over the state govt not releasing the fund to local bodies. Only recently did govt release the first instalment. However, the amount can be only spent if there is an implementation officer. Neither a new superintendent nor a project implementation officer has been appointed in her place. “There were certain issues related to the disbursal of emoluments of the palliative care staff. We had to get the nod of the district planning committee to distribute the emoluments using plan fund allocation. Under the project, services including treatment, nursing, giving medicines, and dressing wounds have to be provided. Equipment including oxygen concentrators are also given to patients. All these activities have come to a standstill. Apart from this, there are also drivers and volunteers. Download the TOI App.