Dr Harris was responding to the media regarding a show-cause notice issued by the Kerala Health Department.
Published Aug 01, 2025 | 12:30 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2025 | 12:30 PM
Dr Haris Chirakkal
Dr Harris Chirakkal, a senior urologist at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital in Kerala, broke down before the media on Friday, 1 August, while responding to a show-cause notice issued by the Health Department.
The notice was served after he revealed that essential surgical equipment was unavailable in the urology department, resulting in a surgery being postponed.
Dr Harris, speaking emotionally, said he had to personally bear the cost of purchasing paper to type his reply to the notice.
“You won’t believe it… I have to buy the paper to respond. I have no office, no staff, no printer. I get documents printed with the help of companies or buy paper myself,” he said, expressing frustration at the conditions under which doctors are expected to function.
The Health Department had earlier alleged that Dr Harris spread false information and defamed the government, despite an expert committee reporting that the surgery in question was conducted the following day using equipment reportedly arranged by another doctor.
Dr Harris maintains that he intended to highlight the challenges faced by the healthcare system and not to defame anyone. He plans to submit a detailed reply to the Health Secretary with supporting evidence. He also expressed concern that the financial crisis affecting the state’s health sector should not result in compromised patient care.
“What I raised was the issue related to equipment to bring the patient back to life,” he said. A final decision on departmental action is expected after Dr. Harris submits his response.
