One-man army

The disclosure made by Dr. Harris, Head of the Urology Department of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, is not something unknown to officials and the government. The mismanagement and the systematic failures of the medical college in Thiruvananthapuram are an open secret. However, not many possess the nerve to question it. For the same reason, Dr Harris is an anomaly.

With the revelation attracting headlines in prominent news channels, the DME chose to turn against Harris. This hounding from the DME itself speaks volumes about the veracity of the statements made by Harris. There is no doubt that it is indeed the state government’s sly hand behind orchestrating DME to charge against the Urology head.

DME Dr. K.V. Viswanathan sought an explanation from Dr Harris, and opined that the latter’s statement has embarrassed the health department of the state. DME shed light on the silence of other department heads and asked why there were no similar complaints akin to the Urology department head. DME will use this silence as a weapon to amplify charges against Dr Harris.

Those who try to work with 100 per cent sincerity in a government department are nothing more than servile fools for their superiors, colleagues and subordinates. A government job is a comfy arrangement where you get a fixed salary every month regardless of whether you work more, less or do no work at all! If anyone questions this setup, they will be made a scapegoat.

In case you stand to question the lackadaisical attitude shown, expect a transfer, departmental investigation, and if that is not enough, a vigilance investigation. Therefore, no one dares to become a 'whistleblower'.

Medical college hospitals, the health department that governs them, and the government above them are part of a larger system. It is impossible to wage a war alone and expect a positive result. In a democracy, what matters is what the majority says. However, Dr. Harris's one-man fight will not be in vain, as he turned out to be a representative of the patients.

Consider the equipment in the private hospital going out of stock. Whatever the trouble, the company agents will be in the hospital the next day to replace the equipment. In Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, the equipment that broke down in April is yet to be replaced, and it reeks of ineptitude to remind that June is almost over.

The treatment available in all departments of medical colleges is equally available in private hospitals across the state. Many private hospitals still tower in repute due to the availability of veteran doctors. Despite this advantage, people throng to medical college for two purposes. The modest fees and the availability of elite doctors in the field. Although the minister blamed the systematic failures, it seems unlikely that an overhaul is possible in the Medical College.

Therefore, the minister should take steps to allow department heads to purchase equipment and allocate funds. A provision should be made that after purchasing the equipment, the department head should inform the higher authorities along with the documents. If this procedure is followed, it will be a matter of time before change happens. Dr Harris may be defeated eventually due to the muddled up politics of and condescending attitude of the system. However, the cause which the doctor stood for will eventually bear fruit.