Thiruvananthapuram: Dr Haris Chirackal, Head of the Urology Department at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital, has claimed that no equipment purchased through the MP fund is missing from the hospital. Addressing the media here on Friday, he dismissed the Health Minister Veena George's claims.

“All equipment is at the department. The oscilloscope is priced at only ₹14 lakh, not ₹20 lakh. It is inside the operation theatre. No part is missing,” said Dr Haris.

Speaking to the media, he welcomed any probe into the allegations regarding the missing equipment. He added that the memo he received did not mention any missing equipment.

“Proper auditing of all equipment is conducted every year at the hospital. The expert committee cannot access the equipment inside the operation theatre. So, they cannot file a report on the working condition of devices used for treatment,” he said.

The Kerala Health Department appointed an expert panel after Dr Haris came forward as a whistleblower, exposing a shortage of surgical implants at the medical college. On Friday, Health Minister Veena George claimed that the panel had found a part of an oscilloscope worth ₹20 lakh missing from the hospital. She ordered a departmental inquiry into the matter.

Meanwhile, the Director of Medical Education served a show-cause notice to the doctor, seeking an explanation for publicly criticising the state government and allegedly violating the Kerala Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1960.