Probe ordered into alleged missing surgical instrument at Medical College; no equipment is missing, says Dr Harris

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Director of Medical Education will probe the disappearance of a component from the Morcellator, a surgical instrument used in the Medical College’s Urology Department. Health Minister Veena George told the media that the inquiry report indicated the equipment had gone missing and was allegedly damaged intentionally.

However, Urology Department head Dr. Haris clarified that no equipment was missing and that all instruments, including the Morcellator, were still in the department. He added that regular audits are being conducted and that the expert committee had not examined these details. “Any investigation can be conducted,” he said.

"No instruments have been lost or damaged. The Morcellator has been set aside as it is no longer functional. Pictures of the instrument have been sent to the district collector multiple times. As the department head, I am fully aware of the facts and see no reason for such claims in the expert committee’s report," Dr Haris said.

He also noted that the Morcellator had not been used because there were no doctors familiar with operating it. He did not believe the current inquiry was an attempt to create complications and assured cooperation with the investigation. “From the information available, no further action seems likely,” Dr. Haris added.