A section of applicants have claimed that the recent interview for the post of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) medical officer at the ART Plus Centre, Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, was conducted without following guidelines of the National AIDS Control Organisation.

These centres offer treatment for people with HIV. The post of ART medical officer was on contract basis. The interview was held on June 18, 2026. However, the applicants, who did not wish to be quoted, claimed that media advertisements for the purpose appeared on the same day. Because of this, many eligible people could not attend the interview process.

Though the interview was held at the office of the senior administrative officer, the official did not attend it. Normally, principal of the medical college and a faculty from the Department of Microbiology, who is the in-charge officer of the HIV testing and counselling centre, should have been part of the interview board. However, the applicants alleged that the Head of the Department of Medicine and a junior doctor there, and a representative of the Kerala State AIDS Control Society alone were in the board. Twelve people appeared for the interview. The applicants claimed that the attempt was to pick a candidate who suited the interests of the board.

Meanwhile, medical college officials said on Sunday (June 21, 2026) that they would look into the allegations.