Thiruvananthapuram, 03 July(HS): Kerala Government’s claim that the State is the hub of health tourism and it is a role model for even developed countries in Europe came down like a pack of cards on Thursday as one of the wards in Kottayam Medical College collapsed resulting in the death of a 56 year old woman. She was in the ward to look after her daughter who was undergoing treatment.

The first claim made by Veena George, minister of health was that it was an empty building and there were no patients or persons in the wards. This delayed the rescue operations by two hours resulting in the death of the woman.

In a strange coincidence, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was in Kottayam presiding over a meeting held to take stock of the development works in the district. Vasavan, minister for cooperation rushed to the site along with Veena George to supervise the rescue works.

The authorities in Kottayam Medical Collage had informed the State administration many times about the dilapidated buildings in the institution but other than blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre, the chief minister or his council of ministers did not do anything to repair the buildings.

Last week saw Dr Haris Chirackal, head of the department of Urology, Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram giving vent to his helplessness by talking to the social media about the shortage of surgical equipment in the hospital.

“Some four surgeries scheduled in the department were cancelled as there were no surgical equipments. Though the authorities were informed about the state of affairs quite some time back, no action has been taken,” said Dr Haris.

Instead of asking the Health Department to rectify the mistakes, the chief minister rebuked Dr Haris for airing his grievances openly.

“He portrayed India’s best healthcare system in a negative manner. This is part of an attempt to discredit and tarnish the world’s best health care system,” said Vijayan who rushes to USA for his treatment.

A senior doctor agreed with what Dr Haris had said about the government medical college hospitals and the public health system in the State.

“The State Government has not done anything to address the basic issues facing the health care system. The chief minister, health minister, finance minister and the CPI(M) leaders blame the Centre for all the ills plaguing the State. But they have not done anything to revive the department of health in the State,” said the doctor who has put in more than three decades of service in government hospitals.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti