T’puram: The four-member panel appointed by the health department has commenced its probe into the allegations levelled by Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital urology department head Dr Haris Chirackal. In a social media post, he had written how the shortage of surgical implants were forcing several surgeries to be postponed.Based on Dr Harris’s revelations, the health department constituted a committee headed by Alappuzha MCH principal Dr B Padmakumar. The committee reached Thiruvananthapuram MCH on Monday morning and held discussions with the hospital authorities and department heads, including Dr Haris.However, Dr Haris said the expert committee’s appointment was a good initiative, but it should look into all the issues affecting the medical college hospital. He also hoped there would be action based on the report to be submitted by the expert committee.Meanwhile, the Kerala Govt Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) has decided to organise protests from Tuesday, seeking the govt’s urgent intervention in addressing the numerous issues faced by teachers in govt medical colleges. The association has urged authorities to fill up vacancies at govt medical colleges proportionate to patient numbers. The new medical colleges should be made operational only after creating adequate physical facilities and teaching and non-teaching positions, it said.The association has also urged the govt to avoid reassignments and temporary transfers to new medical colleges for KUHS (health university) and NMC (national medical commission) inspections, said KGMCTA state president Dr T Rosnara Beegam. They have also urged stopping the tendency to blame and take action against doctors for system inadequacies. The govt should complete pending appointments and promotions for vacant positions in a timely manner. Conduct all transfers transparently, strictly according to approved standards and legal requirements, she said.
