A little over two months after back-to-back fire outbreaks and evacuation of patients led to the temporary closure of the super-speciality and emergency care wing of the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, the authorities are reportedly planning to have a trial run of the equipment before the reopening of the building.

The first incident happened on May 2 night after a minor blast in the UPS room attached to the MRI scanning unit of the emergency care section at the building constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. A large number of patients had to be shifted to other wards of the hospital. Though some of them were brought back, they had to be evacuated again after another minor explosion on May 5.

It was later decided that the building would be reopened only after a thorough check by the State Electrical Inspectorate, electrical wing of the State Public Works department, and bio-medical engineering experts. Separately, a team of doctors from various government MCHs too was set up to inquire into the incidents and the inconvenience suffered by the patients. Those seeking treatment at the emergency care wing are being taken to the old casualty building for the past two months.

It is learnt that the water leakage in the building is yet to be completely addressed. The private company maintaining the MRI unit is yet to hand over the equipment after repair. There are around 19 operating theatres in the building. The inspection to check their functioning is ongoing too. At a recent review meeting chaired by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, it was decided that all these works should be completed before July-end. Sources said on Wednesday that a trial run for a couple of days was also proposed before the complete reopening of the facility.

Meanwhile, both patients and healthcare staff are troubled by the congested premises and lack of facilities at the old casualty block. Many surgical procedures are being rescheduled. It is not clear what are the findings of the expert team set up by the government on the inconvenience caused to the patients during the fire outbreaks. The committee is supposed to submit its report to the Directorate of Medical Education.