Row over shifting OST centre from Kozhikode Beach hospital

The OST Centre currently operating within the premises of the Government General Hospital, Kozhikode Beach. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

Amid reports of a possible relocation and demolition of the existing building housing the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre at the General Hospital at Kozhikode Beach (also known as Beach Hospital), the Pouravakasha Samrakshana Samithi, a citizens’ rights group, has urged authorities to retain the centre within the hospital premises and integrate it with the outpatient (OP) facility.

The OST and Counselling Centre, which provides de-addiction treatment to people struggling with narcotic drug dependence, currently operates from a building used earlier for waste processing, situated near the Department of Paediatrics. The centre functions until 2 p.m. daily. However, concerns have been raised over drug users reportedly lingering near the facility beyond operating hours, leaving used syringes and occasionally engaging in altercations.

Several individuals and organisations have voiced concerns about the impact of the situation on patients, especially children, and hospital bystanders. Following these complaints, the State Human Rights Commission recommended relocating the centre outside the hospital compound. Subsequently, hospital authorities requested higher officials to consider shifting the centre.

In a recent report to the District Police Chief (Kozhikode City), the hospital superintendent stated that security personnel in the hospital were unequipped to manage confrontations involving ‘drug users’, some of whom had allegedly threatened staff with syringes and sharp objects. The report also stated that the building housing the OST Centre was under consideration for demolition as part of the hospital’s infrastructure development plans.

However, the Pouravakasha Samrakshana Samithi has called for the centre to be relocated within the hospital’s OP wing rather than being moved externally. “There are 11 OST Centres in the State, and nine of them function within the OP wings of government hospitals. None of them face similar issues,” said Satheesh Parannur, secretary of the Samithi. He said that the problems arose because the centre is situated outside the main hospital building. He also cited the Union Ministry of Health’s recommendation that OST Centres should function within hospitals.

Meanwhile, hospital superintendent Dr. Jeevan Lal said that any decision on shifting the OST Centre would have to be taken by higher authorities.

Published - June 09, 2025 11:33 pm IST