Is Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital in Crisis?

Thiruvananthapuram, June 28 (NationPress) A recent post on social media by a renowned urologist, head of the Urology Department at the esteemed Thiruvananthapuram Medical College hospital, has drawn attention to the troubling conditions affecting the institution, where a significant number of patients belong to economically disadvantaged groups.

This revelation comes at a time when Veena George, the Kerala Health Minister and former journalist, frequently discusses the quality of healthcare in state-run facilities.

Initially shared on Saturday, the post ignited widespread debate before Haris Chirackal deleted it and issued a follow-up statement affirming that his initial claims were accurate.

In his original post, Chirackal highlighted a critical lack of medical equipment and supplies in his department, which has impeded timely and effective patient care.

"I strive to provide the best treatment for my patients; however, I felt disheartened recently when I had to delay a surgery for a patient who is the same age as my son due to equipment shortages. I'm exhausted from seeking funding and supplies. I have no desire for conflict with the bureaucracy. If necessary, let my services be terminated," he expressed in the now-deleted post.

In his subsequent update, Chirackal emphasized his commitment to delivering exceptional patient care and acknowledged the cooperation he receives from his team.

"As the Head of the Department, I dedicate myself entirely to my work, often missing family events because I prioritize my patients. This institution is where I trained, and I am determined to honor my responsibilities to my patients," he stated in a new social media update.

However, following the viral nature of his post, health authorities quickly refuted his claims.

"Chirackal's statements are inaccurate. We have invested approximately 50 lakhs in new equipment for the Urology department, including 45 items. Although a probe was delayed on Friday, one surgery was postponed while three others were successfully completed in the department,” the officials responded.

Meanwhile, S.S. Lal, a respected health consultant and former student, noted that Chirackal's concerns are not new, as hospital operations have faced challenges for the past six to seven years.

"A former classmate who previously led the Urology department used his own resources to acquire equipment to avoid impacting patient care. Unfortunately, this scenario is common across many state-run hospitals. The budgeting process for the Health department is fundamentally flawed. While the global discourse revolves around healthcare strategies for 2050, we are struggling to ensure our hospitals function effectively even for tomorrow," Lal commented, who was a Congress candidate in the Kazhakootam Assembly elections in 2021.