One Facebook post rattles Kerala's health ministry; Urology department chief opens fight for patients

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The suffering faced by people in the Medical College Hospital was brought to light by Dr Harris, the head of the urology department, in a scathing criticism. The doctor's Facebook post paved the way for a surgical strike in the health department. 'Fire me, I'm fed up with this service,' he wrote on Facebook.

The popular doctor's response came after surgeries were repeatedly cancelled at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital due to a lack of equipment. Doctors are helpless in front of patients waiting for crucial operations for months. Poor patients and relatives are clueless about what to do next.

Dr. Harris Chirakkal reacted emotionally as the situation worsened. "I am tired of appealing to politicians and officials. My shoes are torn from useless visits to offices to plead with officials. I have no time to confront the bureaucracy, and I have had to postpone surgeries continuously due to a lack of equipment." The doctor's response, which was infuriated by the authorities' policy, became controversial, and the government intervened.

Harris withdrew both posts over purported pressure from higher ups but later came with a new post reiterating his firm stance.

The Health Department says that Dr. Harris's allegations are false. Medical Education Director Viswanathan sought an explanation from Harris. There is also a move to take action for disciplinary violations. Meanwhile, the process of purchasing surgical equipment from the HDS office began on Saturday evening. The file was handed over to the District Collector, who is the HDS chairman, for approval.

The first post from Harris came on Friday after the surgery of a boy, who the doctor mentioned was of his son’s age, got cancelled. He wrote a letter to the Hospital Development Society (HDS) office to purchase equipment worth Rs. 41,000 used for urology surgery, but no action was taken. Dr. Harris visited this office several times for this, but had to leave empty-handed as the official often cited legal hurdles for not moving ahead. Harris then informed the minister's office, but yet again received the same response.