Pinarayi warns against 'twisting' isolated incidents to tarnish Kerala''s health system

Kannur (Kerala) | Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday warned that taking isolated issues out of context could unfairly tarnish the state's hard-earned reputation for having one of India’s best public health systems.

His comments followed recent remarks by Dr Haris Chirakkal, a senior government surgeon at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, who flagged shortages of surgical equipment and delays in critical procedures.

The doctor's revelations had sparked debate on the condition of Kerala's state-run hospitals.

While Vijayan did not question the integrity of the doctor, he said such statements, when highlighted in the wrong way, could unintentionally misrepresent the larger picture.

"He is a sincere government employee, free of corruption and deeply committed to his duty. Despite this, he has now inadvertently become the reason for misrepresenting what is arguably the best healthcare system in India. It is unclear whether this was his intention. Still, this incident should serve as a lesson for all of us," Vijayan said.

The Chief Minister was delivering the concluding address at the regional-level review meeting for the districts of Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, and Wayanad, held at the Krishna Menon Memorial Government Women's College auditorium in Kannur, with the participation of ministers and senior officials.

He acknowledged that temporary shortages can happen but insisted that the state government moves quickly to resolve them.

"No one can claim that everything is perfect. Our medical colleges perform highly complex surgeries. The government ensures all necessary support for such procedures. At times, there may be shortages of certain equipment, but that is not a permanent situation. Such issues are addressed quickly, with necessary equipment procured promptly," Vijayan said.

The Chief Minister added that an official clarification had already been issued regarding the matter raised by Dr Chirakkal.

Dissatisfaction must not become a tool in the hands of those who want to show Kerala in a poor light, he added.

Vijayan said that there is a deliberate attempt to create negativity about Kerala.

He noted that some sectors are functioning well and are widely acknowledged for their good performance, but recent developments show a calculated effort to distort these realities.

Vijayan alleged that some people in society seem to have a vested interest in ensuring that good things do not continue as they are. Unfortunately, the media--which should be reporting the news--are now taking the lead in this distortion.

"Rather than presenting news, they are more interested in pushing their own views," the Chief Minister said.

Vijayan strongly defended Kerala's healthcare system, saying it enjoys wide recognition both within and outside the state.

"Our health sector has made significant progress. Compared to the past, there has been steady improvement. This didn't happen by accident--it is the result of deliberate and focused government intervention," he said.

The Chief Minister said the budget allocation for health has also been increased accordingly.

But now, he claimed, there is a coordinated effort to misrepresent the sector, particularly by focusing on medical colleges.

"In Kerala, public opinion holds that our medical colleges have grown and improved greatly. Still, efforts are being made to present a false image. We must all be aware of this," Vijayan said, in an apparent reference to the Congress protest at the Medical Colleges in Kerala on Tuesday.

There is a conscious misinterpretation and a deliberate attempt to portray things in a negative light, he said.

The controversy erupted after Dr Chirakkal posted on Facebook about the shortage of essential medical equipment, which he said had led to the postponement of surgeries.

He alleged that repeated assurances from authorities had failed to resolve the issue, leaving patients in severe pain waiting for timely treatment.

He also said he was under immense mental stress, unable to fulfil his responsibilities to patients who depend on government hospitals.

Director of Medical Education Dr Vishwanathan K later called Dr Chirakkal’s remarks "misleading and an emotional outburst".

However, Health Minister Veena George refrained from criticising Chirakkal, describing him as a "hardworking and trustworthy doctor".

She acknowledged systemic issues in the healthcare sector and assured that his concerns would be examined thoroughly.