Dr Haris Chirakkal’s Public Plea on Surgical Delays Sparks Statewide Debate; Govt Forms Inquiry Panel
Thiruvananthapuram – A Facebook post by senior urologist Dr Haris Chirakkal, Head of the Urology Department at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, has rocked Kerala’s health department, exposing a chronic shortage of surgical equipment and months-long delays in critical procedures. Though later deleted, the post went viral and has ignited public outrage and political reaction, prompting the state government to order a formal inquiry.
Dr Chirakkal’s impassioned post—where he declared, “Fire me, I’m fed up with this service”—described his growing frustration over repeated surgery cancellations due to unavailability of basic instruments, leaving poor patients stranded in pain. One such surgery involved a young boy whose procedure was cancelled last minute, despite repeated pleas to hospital authorities to purchase equipment worth just ₹41,000.
“My shoes are torn from visiting offices… I cannot confront the bureaucracy anymore,” wrote Dr Chirakkal, venting his helplessness and concern for patients who often mortgage assets for treatment.
Doctor vs System
Despite requests to remove his post by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Dr Haris maintained that his concerns remain unaddressed. He claimed that surgical delays are now routine, and often only proceed when patients themselves arrange equipment.
Dr Haris alleged that repeated appeals to hospital officials and even the Health Minister’s office yielded no result. He stated that while doctors are willing to work tirelessly, they are shackled by “immovable walls of bureaucracy.”
Kerala Govt Orders Fact-Finding Probe
Following mounting public pressure, the Kerala government constituted a four-member expert committee to investigate the allegations. The committee includes senior doctors from Alappuzha and Kottayam government medical colleges and has been directed to submit a detailed report.
Health Minister Veena George, while refraining from direct criticism of Dr Haris, acknowledged systemic procurement delays and praised the doctor’s commitment. She assured a comprehensive probe and said procedural hurdles would be reviewed to avoid future lapses.
“There should be no delay in procurement if lives are at stake. We will assess if this case reflects a larger systemic issue,” George said.
DME: Allegations ‘Emotional’, Not Substantiated
However, Director of Medical Education Dr Vishwanathan K dismissed the allegations as “misleading and emotional outburst”, asserting that necessary supplies had been procured and no official complaint had reached him. He added that other department heads had not raised similar concerns, and the matter would be individually reviewed.
Growing Political & Medical Support
The opposition UDF backed Dr Haris and slammed the Health Department, alleging widespread dysfunction across Kerala’s government hospitals. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan called the state’s health system “on ventilator support”, and announced the formation of a health commission to independently review the sector.
Doctors’ associations have rallied behind Dr Haris, warning the government against any disciplinary action. “If he is targeted, we will intervene strongly,” the associations said in a statement, lauding his courage to speak truth to power.
Dr Haris remains unfazed amid speculation of a vigilance probe. “I studied in a government college and chose public service. I’m not afraid of an investigation—I just want to treat my patients,” he said.
As Kerala’s health system faces growing scrutiny, Dr Chirakkal’s outburst has become a symbol of the daily struggle of doctors working within an under-equipped and bureaucratic system, and a call for urgent healthcare reform.
