Latest news with #HarisChirakkal
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
CM to travel to US for medical treatment
T'puram: Chief minister is set to travel to the United States once again for medical treatment. According to a statement from the CMO, he will depart around midnight on Friday via Dubai and is expected to stay in the US for about 10 days as part of a continued course of treatment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This is not the first time the CM is heading to the US for health reasons. He previously underwent treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and is now reportedly returning for follow-up consultations and further medical care at the same facility. The trip comes at a time when Kerala's public healthcare system is facing mounting criticism. A recent Facebook post by Haris Chirakkal, head of the urology department at Thiruvananthapuram medical college, flagged critical issues within the hospital infrastructure, sparking widespread concern. The situation escalated further when a woman died after a building collapsed at Kottayam medical college, intensifying public outrage. Opposition parties have launched statewide protests demanding the resignation of health minister Veena George, citing the govt's failure to ensure basic safety and standards in public hospitals. As these controversies continue to dominate headlines, the CM's decision to seek treatment abroad has added a new dimension to the political debate over the condition of Kerala's healthcare system.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Medical equipment issues in college resolved after creating controversy: Govt doctor
Thiruvananthapuram, A senior government doctor who recently claimed shortage of surgical equipment and delays in procedures at the state-run Medical College Hospital here, on Wednesday said that the issues were resolved quickly only after he highlighted them publicly. Medical equipment issues in college resolved after creating controversy: Govt doctor Dr Haris Chirakkal at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, also questioned whether creating a controversy was the only way to resolve such issues. The doctor, in a Facebook post, had recently said that the shortage of essential medical equipment had led to the postponement of surgeries and had alleged that repeated assurances from authorities had failed to resolve the issue, leaving patients in severe pain waiting for timely treatment. On Wednesday, while speaking to reporters here, he said that a file related to one of the equipment was pending at the Collectorate for around two months, but was quickly processed after his FB post. Another equipment was delivered at the hospital amidst the ongoing enquiry in connection with his revelations, he added. "How were these resolved so quickly when I created an issue over it? How did these things move so fast after being delayed for months? So, things will be resolved only if an issue is created?" he asked. At the same time, he admitted that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was right when he said that such revelations, when highlighted in the wrong way, could unintentionally misrepresent the larger picture. "He is a sincere government employee, free of corruption and deeply committed to his duty. Despite this, he has now inadvertently become the reason for misrepresenting what is arguably the best healthcare system in India. It is unclear whether this was his intention. Still, this incident should serve as a lesson for all of us," Vijayan had said a day ago at an event in Kannur. Responding to queries from reporters about what the CM had said, the doctor conceded that what he had said "would cause some damage to the health sector." He said that his intention was to ensure the shortage of equipment is resolved and he neither wanted the health department or the hospitals under it to be blamed nor did he want protests against them. "Such things would lead to what I said being misunderstood. What I want is that red-tapism and bureaucratic delays be avoided," he said. Dr Chirakkal further said that despite the CM's remarks, he has a lot of respect for Vijayan. The doctor also said that he had expected some opposition to what he had said, but everyone, irrespective of party leanings, told him that what he said was correct. Meanwhile, an editorial in the CPI mouthpiece, Deshabhimani, said that what the doctor said had caused a lot of misunderstanding, but the health department intervened quickly and resolved the issue. A committee has been appointed to investigate the cause of the situation and to recommend steps to prevent it from happening in the future, it said. It alleged that the opposition was trying to gain political mileage out of the issue by spreading the news that the public health sector in the state was having problems. The editorial said that pointing out mistakes and trying to correct them was fine, but it was different from trying to harm the government in the name of some shortcomings. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Deccan Herald
30-06-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Kerala Finance Minister denies cuts to health sector funds amid political row
The opposition Congress-led UDF had strongly criticised the Health Department after Dr Haris Chirakkal, Head of the Urology Department, flagged shortages of essential medical equipment and delays in surgeries. The UDF also announced plans to appoint a commission to study the health sector and organise a conclave.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- 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
