THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala – A senior government doctor has publicly condemned critical deficiencies at the state-run Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. This strong criticism follows the recent death of cardiac patient Venu, who allegedly did not receive proper treatment at the facility. Dr. Haris Chirakkal, head of the hospital’s Urology Department, described the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death as “unfortunate” and “painful” during a public program on Saturday.
Dr. Chirakkal highlighted the practice of making patients lie on the hospital floor as “uncivilised.” He pointed out that this situation has worsened significantly, noting that more patients now lie on the floor than when he began his medical studies at the institution in 1986. He questioned how effective medical treatment could be administered under such conditions, emphasizing the dignity and care patients deserve.
Patient Death and Negligence Claims
Venu, a patient from Kollam, was receiving treatment for a heart condition at the Government Medical College Hospital. His death on Wednesday night prompted serious allegations of medical negligence from his family. They claimed that the hospital failed to provide the necessary care, leading to his demise.
The hospital’s medical superintendent denied the family’s accusations of negligence. Despite the denial, the incident quickly escalated into a political issue. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition squarely blamed the state government for Venu’s death. They specifically criticized Health Minister Veena George, holding her accountable for the hospital’s conditions.
Prior Warnings on Infrastructure and Equipment
This is not the first time Dr. Chirakkal has voiced concerns about the hospital’s operational issues. He had previously used a Facebook post to highlight a severe shortage of essential medical equipment. This deficiency, he stated, had led to the frequent postponement of critical surgeries, causing prolonged suffering for patients.
Dr. Chirakkal’s earlier remarks detailed how repeated assurances from hospital authorities and the health department had failed to resolve the equipment crisis. Patients were left in severe pain while awaiting timely treatment, a situation he found unacceptable. His consistent public statements had already generated political criticism against the state government.
Call for Tertiary Care Centres
During his recent address, Dr. Chirakkal also spoke about broader healthcare systemic issues. He expressed concern over patients traveling long distances to seek treatment only to encounter substandard conditions. He argued that establishing medical colleges across the state would be ineffective if the quality of care within these institutions remained compromised.
Dr. Chirakkal strongly advocated for the establishment of “tertiary care centres of super-speciality standards.” He stated that such advanced facilities are the “need of the hour” to ensure high-quality, specialized medical services are accessible throughout Kerala. This, he suggested, is crucial for preventing future incidents and improving overall public health infrastructure.