Govt appoints four-member committee to probe cancellation of urology surgeries at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has appointed a four-member committee to investigate the cancellation of surgeries in the urology department at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. The probe was initiated following the directive of the Health Minister. The issue gained attention after Dr. Haris Chirakkal, Head of the Urology Department, made critical remarks through a Facebook post and in media interactions, raising concerns within the health department.

Dr. Haris continued to voice criticism even yesterday. He mentioned that due to the lack of necessary resources, the department had been depending on donations from NGOs and financial support from patients to carry out surgeries. However, the hospital development society has now promised that the essential equipment will be made available by tomorrow, and he has informed patients that operations will resume accordingly. Dr. Haris also disclosed that he had personally visited the health minister’s office a year ago to explain the department’s challenges. He remarked that other department heads have chosen to stay silent out of fear. “If I’m isolated for speaking the truth, let it be. I have no fear,” he asserted. Health Minister Veena George acknowledged Dr. Haris as a sincere and upright doctor.

The inquiry team includes DME Vishwanathan, the superintendent of Kottayam Medical College, the head of the urology department at Kottayam Medical College, and the principal of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. A high-level meeting chaired by the Health Minister will be held today.

He also revealed that the shortage of equipment was brought to the attention of the minister’s private secretary Sajeevan a year ago. A delay in treatment for a patient recommended by the private secretary led to Dr. Haris and the then principal being summoned to the minister’s office, where the issues were explained in detail. Though the minister instructed the superintendent to resolve the matter, no follow-up occurred.

The probe will focus on three key questions:

1. How many surgeries were cancelled?
2. Was there a delay in procuring essential equipment?
3. Did the number of surgeries increase or decrease after Dr. Haris took charge?

Two-month waiting period

• This crisis has affected the super-speciality department, where many patients are waiting for surgeries.
• The critical equipment needed is a Lithoclast Probe, costing around Rs 41,000. One probe can be used for seven to eight surgeries. On average, four to five surgeries are conducted per day.

"We will strongly intervene if disciplinary action is taken against Dr. Haris."
– Dr. Rosanara Begum, President, KGMTCA

All issues raised by Dr. Haris will be investigated: Minister Veena George
Health Minister Veena George said that Dr. Haris is a sincere and dedicated professional and that all the issues he raised will be thoroughly investigated. She acknowledged that the number of patients and surgeries in government hospitals has significantly increased over the last 15 years. Though there are systemic issues, the government is working to resolve them. She emphasised that if one views patients as one's own friends, siblings, or parents, the system will become more compassionate.

"Dr. Haris stated that three surgeries were performed the previous day, and the probe malfunctioned during the fourth. He noted that the patient was around the same age as his own son, making the case deeply personal," the minister said.

"Dr. Haris called for systemic reforms. I believe that he raised these issues out of his trust in the government. A detailed inquiry is currently underway. One should not generalise and criticise government hospitals as a whole. The state spent Rs 1,600 crore on the health sector last year alone," she added.