Representative image showing a doctor performing surgery.
Credit: iStock Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: The emotional outburst of a doctor in Kerala over the lapses in supply of surgical equipment to hospital has brought immediate relief as some basic equipment required for performing surgeries were reportedly brought by Tuesday.
According to sources, lithoclast probes required for performing surgeries for common issues like urinary stones were brought by air from Hyderabad as several surgeries at the Thiruvananthapuram government medical college hospital had to be postponed owing to the unavailability of the device.
Dr Haris Chirakkal, head of the urology department, had come out in the open against the delay in supply of medical equipment despite placing orders and pleading before the authorities concerned. Causing much embarrassment to the CPI(M) government, the doctor also said that even when the issue was brought to the notice of the health minister's office there was no relief.
While the college principal and hospital superintendent denied the allegations of the doctor, health minister Veena Geroge ordered a probe into the issues raised by Dr Chirakkal.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress as well as the BJP have launched strong protests against the state government over the issue. Demonstrations were staged even to the residence of the health minister demanding her resignation.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan government had destroyed the government health sector to help the private hospital lobby. Many government hospitals are struggling without adequate equipment, medicines and even doctors. The doctors were not openly reacting against it owing to fear, he alleged.