Thiruvananthapuram: The acting Director of Medical Education (DME) on Saturday dismissed the allegations raised by the head of the Urology department at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in a Facebook post that drew public attention.

Addressing the media, the DME in-charge, Dr Vishwanathan K V, stated that no emergency procedures had been cancelled due to a lack of equipment. He added that only one minor surgery was recently postponed.

In a post on Facebook, the head of the Urology department, Dr Harris Chirakkal, alleged that surgeries were being postponed due to the lack of necessary equipment.

Dr Vishwanathan said that equipment is purchased according to the list provided by HODs. “In this case, the delay was caused by a discrepancy in the rate of the equipment,” he added.

He further said that the state government has purchased all the required equipment for the Urology department. A significant portion of the funds allocated to the Medical College for the purchase of equipment is assigned to the Urology department, he added.

 According to a press release issued by Medical College authorities, ₹67 lakh was spent on equipment for the Urology department. While the government allocated ₹37 lakh, the remaining funds were spent through the hospital development committee. Additionally, procedures are underway to purchase equipment worth ₹2.5 crore through KIIFB, as per the instructions of Health Minister Veena George.

The authorities informed that 1,327 surgeries were performed under the Urology department as of May 31 of this year. In addition, 242 surgeries were done in June, the release said.

The authorities further said that the equipment in question, Lithoclast, which aids in breaking up stones, was used to treat 32 patients. As of June 2025, seven renal transplantation procedures have been done, they added.

The DME-in-charge said that Dr Harris’ post was an emotional response. “We will look into the claims. No other department head has raised such complaints,” he added.

"Not afraid of departmental action"

Dr Harris withdrew the post after it gained widespread attention. Speaking to reporters, he said that he stands by his statements. “I withdrew the post because I did not think it would garner so much attention,” he added.

The Urology department head referred to the DME’s statements as an attempt to “whitewash” the issue. “The issue is rampant. There is a scarcity of multiple equipments,” he told the media.

Dr Harris said that he is not afraid of departmental action. “Let them take action. I am tired of the service. Why should we hide truths because it will bring shame to the system?”