Caritas Medical College: Some Considerations - Alex Mapleton

It is very heartening that members of our community have warmed up to the idea of a medical college at Caritas. No doubt our goal is a great one and the task is Herculean in magnitude.Admittedly, this project will be a window to many good opportunities, a big boost for our community. I must, however hasten to remind all of us that to achieve all around  progress, we must look at all our needs vis-à-vis Caritas Medical College.The coming weeks or months, it appears, may prove crucial for us. Therefore, as we explore the feasibility of establishing a medical college, it may be worth our while to take a closer look at a few relevant factors and some prudent interim measures.

Is Caritas an enviable Teaching Hospital now?

To me, the most important ingredient and a prerequisite for the proposed medial college is this: Transform Caritas Hospital as a Mecca of Medicine.Whether we like it or not, we do hear as many good reports of care as there are bad ones. Ask ourselves: Why do people – patients and professionals alike – vie to go to CMC Hospital, Vellore, Amrita, Kochi or All India Institute in New Delhi?  We must make Caritas one of the most efficiently and compassionately run super specialty hospital in Kerala. Let Caritas become the patients’ (and community’s) envy for good care. We have yet to earn this. Once Caritas attains that status, then all sorts of health professionals (physicians included) will wait in line to work there, to learn and earn a valuable experience. Then, the compensation package we can offer may not really matter. Similarly, when conditions are favorable, volunteers from all over the globe will flow to Caritas. Professionals from every community will work hand in hand at Caritas to serve the sick and needy.And Kerala government will come knocking at our door to start a medical school.

In short, assembling a truly dedicated and well qualified health care team including a professional hospital administrator and procuring needed material resources (physical plant, equipment, etc.) ispriority one. Laying a solid foundation increases our chances for success. Do not put the cart before the horse!

Is Cancer Care Crippling Caritas?

There are reports that the Cancer Institute at Caritas is a ‘white elephant’ draining all the profits from other sections of the hospital. If it is true, immediate remedial measures are warranted before the bleeding proves fatal. A study must be done to compare the care at Caritas with Thrisur’sAmala Center run by the CMI group and other similar ones. Can the Kerala Government absorb some of the costs Caritas now incurs?

Malabar, A Neglected Part?

Study the needs of Malabar region and do the needful before undertaking other expansion projects elsewhere. Primary care in Malabar takes precedence over expanded tertiary care in Kottayam. Remember: if one link in our community’s chain is weak or broke, the whole chain is worthless.

Establishing a sizeable scholarship fund

           

Set aside a large sum of money, say a few crores which can generate interest. This interest is the annual sum to be given away as outright scholarships or awards and student loans. Applicants who have earned a place on the merit list for admission to selected professional studies and a few more who are on the borderline/waiting lists etc. are to be considered for these scholarships, awards and loans. This may mean that we enlarge the existing ‘Diocesan Centenary Scholarship Fund’, ‘Palanilkkummuriyil Scholarship Fund’, KART, etc. to accommodate a larger influx of aspiring applications to professional programs. This set-up must remain as a perennial mechanism, demonstrating our community’s commitment to our future, notwithstanding the birth of the medical college.

A Well-rounded Approach

           

If the Knanaya community is to maintain its unique identity and leadership role, it will need all sorts of professionals, not doctors alone. We desperately need civic leaders, civil servants( IAS, IFS, IPS, IAAS, etc.) engineers of all kinds, administrators, business and management executives, scientists, teachers other health care professionals, experts in farming, agriculture and plantations, and selfless spiritual leaders. Only this way we can attain all-around progress and prosperity.

           

What I drew above is a practical and positive picture for our community. Let us be pragmatic and prudent.

(Posted on behalf of Alex Mapleton)