Latest news with #Chirakkal
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Four-member panel to probe doctor's charges on hospital equipment
Thiruvananthapuram: Health minister Veena George on Sunday sought to downplay the row over a senior govt doctor's disclosure about issues at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. She said the doctor, Dr Haris Chirakkal, head of the urology department, pointed out systemic lapses that led to a crisis at the hospital, and they would be thoroughly examined. The govt has appointed a four-member committee headed by Dr Padmakumar, principal, Alappuzha Medical College, to probe the allegations levelled by Dr Chirakkal. It has been asked to submit its report at the earliest. The doctor had highlighted the shortage of surgical equipment and the subsequent delays in surgeries at the hospital in a Facebook post, which he deleted later. The minister refrained from criticising Dr Chirakkal and described him as a hardworking and trustworthy medical professional. On Saturday, both the minister and the director of medical education were reportedly irked by the doctor's social media outburst about the sad state of affairs at the hospital. She said the concerns raised by the doctor reflected systemic issues within the healthcare infrastructure. "He only pointed out lapses in the system, which will be rectified. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Does My Family Name Mean? beenverified Sign Up Undo For this, a report has been sought, and steps will be taken based on it," she said. George, however, cautioned against maligning the entire healthcare system. "Dr Chirakkal is an honest, diligent and sincere doctor... Our hospitals have a high number of patients, and there are issues owing to that. The govt is trying to solve problems and change the entire system," she said. Pointing out that while 2.5 lakh patients availed free treatment in 2021, she said the number now rose to 6.5 lakh. Acknowledging procedural delays in procuring medical equipment for govt hospitals and medical colleges, the minister said such rules should be relaxed if necessary. "There should be no delay in procuring equipment. We will examine whether such delays occurred in this case," she said. George earlier announced a comprehensive probe into Dr Chirakkal's revelations. However, even on Sunday, Dr Chirakkal stuck to concerns he raised about the hospital. He said the health minister's office was informed about the treatment crisis and lack of patient care due to equipment shortage. "The equipment shortage was reported to both the superintendent and principal. There are issues in all departments. Information was given to the health minister's office a year ago. The health minister's private secretary was informed in person, along with the former principal. Since then, no one discussed the issue. Despite informing about many issues, nothing changed," he said. He said the problems faced by patients were his main concern. "Many are waiting for surgeries, and often patients themselves have to procure the necessary equipment. There is a struggle for surgical tools and facilities. A letter was sent in March regarding this crisis, warning that surgeries would be disrupted, but no action was taken," he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
'Patients had to buy tools': Doctor's post on Kerala govt hospital triggers probe, reveals how surgeries were delayed over equipment crisis
A senior government doctor's post on social media about the shortage of surgical equipment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital has sparked a controversy in Kerala, forcing the Health Department to order an inquiry. Dr Haris Chirakkal, head of the Urology department, raised concerns through a Facebook post on Saturday. Though he later deleted the post, he told reporters on Sunday that what he wrote was based on facts. 'There are no political intentions behind what I said. I only spoke the truth. I won't hide from it,' Dr Chirakkal said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He explained that he had informed the college principal, hospital superintendent, and even the Health Minister's office about the issue several times, but no action was taken. He claimed many surgeries had to be delayed because of the shortage of equipment. In some cases, patients had to buy the required items themselves. He added that he was tired of repeatedly asking voluntary organisations and companies for help. Live Events Dr Chirakkal also said he feared being targeted with a Vigilance probe because of the ways he managed to get the equipment needed. 'Many of my classmates have joined private hospitals. But I chose to stay in government service because I studied in a government medical college,' he said. After his Facebook post, the Director of Medical Education, Dr Vishwanathan K, said the doctor's claims were 'misleading' and emotional. He also said the government had already procured all necessary items for the Urology department. Although Dr Chirakkal agreed to remove the post on the DME's request, he maintained that the problems still remain. Health Minister Veena George responded by ordering a detailed investigation into the matter. She said she was not informed about the issue earlier and has now asked for a report. Dr Rosnara Begum, President of the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association, came out in support of Dr Chirakkal, saying: 'This is not a personal matter. Many doctors stay silent due to fear. If any action is taken against Dr Chirakkal, the Association will step in.' Inputs from PTI
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Thiruvananthapuram medical college scrambles for explanation after Urology head's social media lament
A Facebook post by the Head of Urology at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, lamenting over his helplessness and inability to provide the best of care to his patients because of systemic issues, has hit headlines in the State, with the college authorities scrambling to give their version of the story and dismissing the social media post as a 'temperamental outburst'. In his post, Harris Chirakkal penned his anguish over having to apologise red-faced to a 23-year-old boy – who was to undergo a scheduled endourology procedure on Friday – for cancelling his surgery at the eleventh hour. Dr. Chirakkal wrote that he was forced to postpone the procedure as the equipment required for the same was unavailable at the hospital, even though his request for purchasing the equipment had been pending with the hospital development society (HDS) for months. He said that he was putting his apology before the public because he was aware of how much the poor depended on this large public sector hospital for affordable care and the hardships they underwent to find money for care (some of the procedures are charged a user fee by the HDS). He wrote that though he was committed to providing the best of care to his patients, the red tape and bureaucratic harassment was getting the better of him. He said that despite heading a speciality department, he did not have any purchasing power to ensure the availability of necessary equipment in his department and was forced to be at the mercy of many administrative powers that be. He penned that he was so dejected that he did not care about the consequences of his open outburst. Authorities say However, with the post making media headlines, the Director of Medical Education (DME), the Principal, and the Superintendent sought to explain on Saturday that Dr. Chirakkal was overreacting and that his post was intended to malign the reputation of the oldest medical college in the State. They explained that equipment was purchased by the HDS as and when HoDs put up purchase requests. However, a single procedure had to be postponed on Friday because of the sudden malfunctioning of an equipment and it was a technical issue which delayed the purchase of the same. The DME said that an explanation would be sought from Dr. Chirakkal about his social media post. The viral post was later removed by Dr. Chirakkal as the issue escalated, but not before it was shared widely on social media. Senior medical college officials confided that these issues were happening because of the outdated rules and procedures which insisted that any purchase above ₹1 lakh in medical colleges has to be cleared by the District Collector. 'In a major tertiary care centre, where complex cases and procedures are taken up round the clock, such outdated procedures for equipment maintenance and purchase are an impediment to the efficient day-to-day functioning of the hospital. The government and the administration should be correcting these anomalies instead of blaming doctors for being 'emotional,' a senior doctor said.
