‘Professional suicide’: Kerala whistleblower doctor who complained about equipment shortage wary of disciplinary action

Dr Haris Chirakkal, a government doctor who became a whistleblower about the lack of critical medical equipment in his department at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, said that what he did amounted to “professional suicide”.

 

“I reached this point when every possible path failed, when all efforts had been exhausted. I am sure disciplinary action will follow,” he said.

 

Notably, in the aftermath of Chirakkal’s social media post and the public discussion that followed, the shortage of equipment in his department was resolved. “However, similar shortages still exist. I had pointed this out earlier, with all the necessary evidence, to the expert committee,” he said, adding that there must be systems in place to resolve such issues permanently. “I came forward by sacrificing my career and job — I took that much risk. Otherwise, no one would have come forward like this. Perhaps, even I may not be able to do this again,” he added, clarifying that he does not blame the health department or the health minister. “I have always held the bureaucracy responsible. Even now, I hold the bureaucracy responsible. The bureaucracy has its faults,” he reiterated.

 

Chirakkal also said that his intention is solely to see the issue resolved, not to blame the health department or health minister, or portray anyone as a villain. “Please do not organise protests against the health department or hospitals. Don’t create disruptions that affect people’s safety or treatment. Don’t hold dharnas or protests in front of hospitals. If you do all that, my intention will be misunderstood, and that will lead to major problems. Please withdraw from such action,” he urged.

 

Yesterday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he does not believe the whistleblower acted with bad intentions, but that his words have been used to portray India’s leading healthcare services in a negative light. “Nobody can claim that everything is perfect,” the CM said.

 

The chief minister also noted that the way Chirakkal raised the issue became a tool in the hands of those who wish to discredit Kerala’s progress in healthcare. Similar criticism was echoed by CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan and the party’s mouthpiece.

 

Meanwhile, Chirakkal maintains that issues in the health sector should not be resolved only when someone is forced to speak out publicly. “How do processes that otherwise drag on for months and years suddenly get resolved in a day?” he asked.

India