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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Barber held for beating man to death over 'bidi' in east Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): A 32-year-old barber was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly beating a man to death following an altercation over a 'bidi' in east Delhi's Pandav Nagar area, police said.
A call regarding the incident that occurred near the bus stand road in Shashi Garden was received at 1.24 am, they said.
The victim was identified as Deepak (28), while the accused was Manoj, he added.
According to the police, during an argument, the accused picked up a wooden stick lying nearby and struck the victim repeatedly on the head. Multiple injuries and bruise marks were also found on the victim's forehead.
"Deepak was taken to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead," an officer said.
An FIR has been registered and further investigation is underway, the officer added.
