Kozhikode: The State Human Rights Commission has registered a suo motu case regarding the non-functional cath lab at the Government General Hospital (Beach Hospital) in Kozhikode. The panel's judicial member, K. Baiju Nath, has issued a notice to the hospital superintendent, demanding a report within 15 days.

According to the complaint, patients have been compelled to rely on private hospitals as the cath lab at the beach hospital has remained non-functional for the past eight months.

The Commission noted that the closure is due to the unavailability of stents and other essential equipment for cardiac surgeries. It was found that the supply of these critical items was halted because of unpaid bills amounting to Rs 3.5 crore.

Previously, the cath lab at the beach hospital facilitated over 100 cardiac surgeries. The panel observed that the closure has severely affected poor patients, particularly those from coastal areas, who depend on the hospital for affordable medical care.

The Commission will review the case during its sitting at the Government Guest House in Kozhikode on January 30, 2025.