'Commited professional suicide'; Dr Harris undeterred by CM Pinarayi Vijayan's criticism

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dr Harris Chirakkal, head of the urology department, said that he committed professional suicide by openly speaking out about the crisis at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. Dr Harris reiterated that he will continue to maintain the same stance regardless of the backlash.

“The shortcomings of the bureaucracy must be addressed. If the problems are resolved, the health sector will improve. I don’t have any grudge over CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s criticism. As a follower of left politics, I admire and respect the chief minister. I never blamed the government or the health minister. I decided to speak up only when all avenues were closed.

Bureaucracy has problems. What the Chief Minister said is true to some extent. When the opinion is expressed openly, it will put the health sector in a bad light. However, if that is resolved, the growth of the health sector will be much faster than intended,” said Dr Harris.

Dr Harris said that the file was stuck in the collectorate for two months. "How could the files required for treatment be stuck for two months? When I raised the issue and things got worse, all things that had been stuck for months and years got fixed in a single day. What magic is that?"

Following the Chief Minister's criticism, CPM State Secretary M V Govindan and a clique of other ministers joined the bandwagon to turn against Dr Harris. The party mouthpiece also criticised the doctor for his lone battle to set things straight in MCH. The only anomaly was CPI leader Binoy Viswam, who mentioned Dr Harris as an excellent doctor.