Senior Doctor's Explosive Claims Highlight Kerala Healthcare Crisis
A senior government doctor in Kerala has launched a scathing attack on the deteriorating conditions at a state-run medical college, following the tragic death of a cardiac patient. The incident has thrown a harsh spotlight on the severe infrastructure and resource gaps plaguing the public healthcare system in the state.
Unfortunate Death and Allegations of Neglect
Dr. Haris Chirakkal, the head of the Urology Department at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, publicly described the death of patient Venu from Kollam as both "unfortunate" and "painful." The criticism was voiced during a program on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Dr. Chirakkal revealed that the patient was forced to lie on the hospital floor due to a lack of beds. "How can a patient be made to lie on the floor? How can treatment be given that way?" he questioned, condemning the practice as "uncivilised." The family of Venu, who was being treated for a heart condition, has alleged medical negligence led to his death on Wednesday night.
A System in Decline: From 1986 to Today
In a stark comparison that underscores a long-term decline, Dr. Chirakkal stated that the situation has worsened significantly over the decades. He asserted that more patients are now made to lie on the floor at the government medical college than when he first joined the institution as a student in 1986.
He also expressed deep concern that the patient had to travel a long distance to seek treatment, only to face such appalling conditions. The doctor argued that merely setting up new medical colleges across Kerala is futile without addressing these fundamental issues, emphasizing that the state urgently needs fully functional tertiary care centres with super-speciality standards.
Ongoing Equipment Shortages and Political Fallout
This is not the first time Dr. Chirakkal has raised the alarm. In a recent Facebook post, he had highlighted a critical shortage of essential surgical equipment, which has led to the postponement of numerous surgeries. He alleged that despite repeated assurances from the authorities, the problems persist, leaving patients in severe pain while waiting for timely treatment.
The doctor's remarks have ignited a political firestorm. While the hospital's medical superintendent has denied the family's claims of negligence, the Congress-led UDF opposition has squarely blamed the state government and Health Minister Veena George for the patient's death. The incident has intensified criticism against the ruling dispensation over its handling of the health department.
