Name board row erupts at Manjeri medical college

A controversy broke out over the naming of Government Medical College, Manjeri, after a new board displayed at the main office on Saturday evening (June 27) referred to it as Government Medical College, Malappuram.

The Malayalam version of the board triggered confusion and political reaction, with Manjeri MLA M. Rahmatullah questioning how the name change had been effected.

Medical college authorities clarified that the change was an error by the Public Works department (PWD) wing responsible for installing the board. They said the official name of the institution remained Government Medical College, Manjeri, and there was no decision to change it.

Following a public outcry, the PWD removed the portion referring to Malappuram from the board.

Officials reiterated that there was no change in the institution’s name and no intention behind the error.

Government Medical College, Manjeri, was earlier the Government General Hospital, Manjeri, which was upgraded into a medical college in 2013 by the UDF government.

The decision had been criticised at the time as the district lost its only general hospital after the upgrade.

The lack of adequate space and infrastructure at the existing facility in the congested Manjeri town has also been a long-standing concern.

To address this issue, the UDF government led by V.D. Satheesan has announced the upgradation of the Government Taluk Hospital at Malappuram into a general hospital, as part of efforts to improve healthcare facilities in the district.