Allegations against Dr. Haris backfires; Health Department with conciliation move

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department has resorted to a conciliation move after the revelation that a part of the surgical equipment was stolen, making Dr Haris Chirakkal, the head of the Urology Department of the Medical College, a suspect, backfired.

The department indicated that the show-cause notice was issued only to complete the investigation into his revelation that the surgery was delayed due to a lack of equipment. It is reported that the doctor was informed that the matter would be closed once he responded.

Dr. Haris's emotional response to the show-cause notice had angered the government. Minister Veena George then came forward with the revelation in the investigation report that a part of an equipment was missing. It was discovered that a part of the surgical oscilloscope had been stolen. The minister had told the media in Thrissur that Dr. Haris had not reported the missing equipment part.

Dr. Haris responded that this equipment was in the operating theatre and that he did not know why the minister said that. The government went on the defensive. With this, it turned to persuasion.

Stuck before Doctor's questions

• The doctor gave a precise response to the allegation that the device was missing. The expert committee that came to investigate did not enter the operating theatre. That was not the subject of their investigation.
• The equipment is audited every year. The oscilloscope does not cost 20 lakhs. The pictures of this device worth 14 lakhs have been handed over to the district collector's office.

Dr. Haris breaks down

Dr. Haris became mentally stressed after receiving the show-cause notice. He broke down in front of the media, who had reached his house before he went to work in the morning. The doctor, with tears in his eyes, went back inside the house.