Thiruvananthapuram: The crisis at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College was not said with the intention of creating a political controversy, said Dr Haris Chirakkal, head of the Urology Department. "Everything I said was true. I didn’t hide after speaking the truth. I had reported all these matters to my superiors, but I doubt if they were passed on to their higher-ups."

He also said that no one has directly come to the department to investigate or have called them to inquire about the matter.

“We have a commitment to patients, so there’s no need to fear speaking out. The Health Minister may not be aware of these issues because the hospital management has failed to inform the higher authorities. Every department in the medical college is facing problems. Some of the purchased equipment is already unusable. At present, patients are on the waiting list until August 4,” he added.

Many devices are purchased by the patients themselves for the hospital.

“Although officials have repeatedly requested the government to purchase the RIRS device, no action has been taken. Surgeries continue only because patients buy the device themselves. These are often purchased begging and by appealing. I made that post because I was tired from constantly having to plead.”

"The RIRS device is purchased from a company in Kochi. Patients either transfer the payment via Google Pay, as instructed by the company, or the company’s agent comes to collect the money directly. The fact that many patients are paying individually and agents are collecting money has created a problematic situation, putting doctors at risk. If a vigilance investigation takes place, it could become a serious issue. It would portray that doctors have accepted bribes," the doctor said.

 

Emergency equipment should be purchased immediately. He said that all the explanations have been answered. I studied in a government college, so I am working here out of the desire to serve the government. He said that all those who studied with me have left government jobs and moved to the private sector and become millionaires. He was responding to a question of whether he was afraid of any action.

The doctor revealed on Facebook the other day that the surgery department is facing a serious crisis at the Medical College Hospital without surgical equipment. Dr Haris Chirakkal, head of the urology department, said that he is considering resigning from his job as he is helpless in front of poor patients. However, the allegations were rejected by the health department authorities. Later, Dr Haris Chirakkal withdrew the posts, stating he was facing limitations around himself.