Kerala Hospital Faces Neuro Surgery Delays Amid Equipment Shortage

Kerala’s Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has postponed all non-emergency neuro-interventional surgeries due to unavailability of essential medical equipment. This has caused major inconvenience to patients and sparked outrage and political backlash.

Reason Behind the Disruption

The hospital issued a statement saying the delay happened because they are working to make the equipment-buying process smoother, which will take some time and has led to the postponement.

The crisis started because the institute hadn’t renewed the surgical equipment contract for the past two years. They extended the contracts temporarily, with equipment supplied at the old prices, but suppliers and manufacturers are no longer willing to provide them at those rates and have stopped supplying.

Another challenge is the Union Government’s mandatory rule to make all purchases through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. While this was meant to improve transparency, it has complicated the procurement process and caused significant delays.

Effect on Patients 

Due to the crisis, all non-emergency neuro-interventional surgeries at the hospital have been put on hold. Even emergency procedures referred from other hospitals have been suspended. Patients from Tamil Nadu and nearby states who travelled for treatment have been left in distress.

As per reports, at least five neuro-interventional surgeries and two other neuro procedures have already been delayed. For now, only the neuro wing seems to be affected—cardiac and pediatric surgeries are continuing as usual. These delays began earlier this week, starting on Monday.

Doctors have blamed this on the institute’s failure to procure essential devices at the required time.

Outrage

The incident sparked protests by Youth Congress workers, who managed to bypass hospital security and enter the premises to reach the director’s office. They shouted slogans against the BJP-led central government, accusing it of endangering the lives of poor patients. Tensions rose when they got into a verbal clash with police inside the hospital. 

Political Response

Union Minister Suresh Gopi held an emergency meeting at the institute on Monday following the disruption. He said that efforts are underway to streamline the purchase process, and surgeries are expected to resume within two days. He also promised to raise the matter with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has directed the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram to take in patients who urgently need neurosurgeries. Gopi also claimed the issue isn’t as serious as it’s being made out to be, and that steps will be taken to ensure a steady supply of surgical devices.

What’s Next

Officials have promised quick solutions to fix the issue, but until then, patients are left waiting.

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Pooja Bansal/MSM)