THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department released a protocol to ensure better treatment for patients in nearby hospitals and thus, reduce the burden on medical colleges.

Patients should not be referred to medical colleges unnecessarily when facilities are available at lower-tier hospitals.

The protocol for five specialities, such as internal medicine, general surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics and orthopaedics, was released in the first phase. Minister Veena George announced that the protocols for other specialities will be published soon.

Various types of speciality treatments are available in medical colleges, district general hospitals, and taluk hospitals. Therefore, all institutions have been classified into five categories, namely Category A, B, C1, C2, and D, considering the huma

See Full Page