The Directorate of Medical Education (DME) in-charge, Dr Vishwanathan K V, has served a show-cause notice to Dr Haris Chirackal, Head of the Urology Department, Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, after he expressed frustration and anger on social media regarding the lack of equipment and the postponement of surgeries. His emotional outburst put the state health department in a spot of bother, and his remarks were brushed aside as remarks on the system's failure. 

The DME issued the notice on July 29 based on the findings of an expert committee, which was constituted to look into the issues raised by Dr Haris. Citing the committee's findings, the DME, in the notice, said that there was sufficient equipment in the department on the day when Haris claimed surgeries had to be postponed and that procedures were conducted as per schedule on the next day. It further said that Haris never raised the issue in meetings or directly to the Principal of the Medical College or the Superintendent. Haris only sent two letters, the notice cited. 

Dr Haris has been asked to furnish an explanation on why he maligned the reputation of the government and the department with false allegations. Such an act accounted for a violation of the code of conduct of a government servant as prescribed in the rules, according to the notice. 

The notice directed Dr Haris to submit his explanation within ten days. Confirming receipt of the notice, Dr Haris told Onmanorama, "I will go through the notice and file a reply. I have been informed that I am being served the notice based on the committee's report, a copy of which has not yet been provided to me". 

While terming the allegation untrue, Dr Haris wondered what he would gain from refusing to conduct the surgery. He clarified that the surgery was conducted the next day, using the surgical tools borrowed from another doctor. He emphasised that the surgical equipment used did not belong to the health department.

Terming that the allegation now levelled against him was an insult, Dr Haris said attempts were being made to frame him, though the department had failed in providing the necessary equipment on time. "Still, there are no adequate machines," he said, adding that he would not change his opinion nor run away, fearing punitive actions.

On the show-cause notice served to him, Dr Haris said he would confidentially reply to the Additional Chief Secretary of Health. He further demanded that the government publish the report of the expert committee. The panel was formed after Dr Haris went public on the equipment shortage.

"The authorities were informed about the lack of equipment multiple times. The HDS (Hospital Development Society) staff had been telling the authorities daily that the department had run out of equipment. The report says all the issues I have flagged are false. I had provided an accurate reply earlier. Either the expert committee report is fake, or the show-cause notice based on it is fake. I took to social media to raise the issue when there was no alternative. As the head of the department, I am responsible for ensuring that the necessary equipment is available. If they are not provided, I have the right to protest," Dr Haris said.

In a Facebook post, Dr Haris had said three out of four surgeries in his department were being postponed due to a lack of basic surgical equipment. He said he had alerted the Health Minister’s office eight months ago and received no response.