It is rare for a single individual to trigger fundamental or systemic changes, especially one without extraordinary authority, vast resources, or overwhelming popular influence. Yet Kerala has reason to hope that Dr Haris Chirakkal might prove to be one of those rare changemakers.

What sets Dr Haris, head of the Urology Department at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, apart—and lends weight to that hope—is his professional integrity, unwavering sincerity of purpose, and remarkable courage in upholding the public good, even at great personal risk. This whistleblower appears, in every sense, to be one of those quiet instruments through whom history occasionally chooses to work. How else could a lithoclast probe—an essential surgical device—have been flown down to Thiruvananthapuram from Hyderabad within two days of Dr Chirakkal going public about its absence, which had been delaying numerous emergency surgeries in the city’s Government Medical College? However, even as Dr Haris emerged as a hero, D Bindu, a 54-year-old housewife, fell an innocent victim of the crumbling infrastructure at Kottayam Government Medical College, turning the spotlight again on the urgent need to address the growing sickness afflicting Kerala’s public health system.

The two incidents have triggered widespread outrage and condemnation of Kerala’s much-acclaimed but heavily stressed public health system. Expectedly, it also led to vociferous attacks on the state government. The narrative now demanded a villain, and Health Minister Veena George fit the role all too easily. A fierce outcry erupted—both in the media and on the streets—calling for her head. Tellingly, the demons appear to acquire bigger horns when they happen to be powerful women. Recall the earlier incidents involving PP Divya, former Kannur District Panchayat president, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran. With the panchayat and assembly elections around the corner, the issue has........

© Mathrubhumi English