Dr Harris says minister’s office ignored warnings, principal calls for inquiry
TVM medical college equipment controversy
Thiruvananthapuram: A controversy has broken out at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH) over the shortage of essential equipment in the Urology Department. Dr Harris Chirakkal, the Head of the Department, has strongly criticised the Health Department for not acting, even after repeated complaints, reports On Manorama.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Dr Harris revealed that he had informed the personal secretary of the Health Minister about the problem eight months ago, but no steps were taken.
"Other department heads are silent because they are afraid. Right now, surgeries are happening only after begging for equipment," he said.
Dr Harris had raised the issue on Facebook on Saturday, saying that surgeries were being delayed due to a lack of proper tools. In response, the Director of Medical Education (DME) said this claim was exaggerated and added that only one minor surgery had been postponed recently. Dr Vishwanathan K V, who is in-charge of the DME, stated that no emergency procedures were cancelled.
Dr Harris, however, said he spoke out after seeing patients suffer. "The waiting list for surgeries now stretches till August. Some patients are even forced to buy surgical equipment with their own money," he said. He added that he doesn’t know why the Health Department failed to respond and said he is ready to cooperate with any investigation.
On Saturday, Health Minister Veena George said she was unaware of the issue and has asked for a detailed report from the DME. She also shared data from the DME which stated that ₹67 lakh had been spent on equipment for the Urology Department, ₹37 lakh from government funds and the rest from the hospital’s development committee.
The minister also said that new equipment worth ₹2.5 crore is being purchased through KIIFB, following her instructions. As per the report, 2,898 urology surgeries were conducted last year. From January to May this year, 1,327 surgeries took place, with 312 in May alone. Between June 1 and 25, a total of 242 surgeries were performed.
Six surgeries were done each on Thursday and Friday. The hospital also carried out 20 kidney transplants last year and seven so far this year.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s Principal, Dr P K Jabbar, told Manorama News that he had not received any major complaints. He said, “The reason behind Dr Harris' social media post must be looked into seriously.”
Dr Jabbar also denied that a purchase request had reached his office and said that Dr Harris had not spoken to him directly about the issue.
He agreed with the Health Minister’s statement that the matter must be investigated thoroughly.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
