Thrissur Medical College Surgeon transferred after raising alarm over heart surgeries
Doctor Transferred
Thrissur: A controversy has erupted at Thrissur Medical College and Hospital after a cardiothoracic surgeon who raised serious concerns about patient safety as heart surgeries were suspended for two months, has now been transferred by the Director of Medical Education (DME).
Dr. Ashraf Usman, Assistant Professor in the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery department, has been transferred to Alappuzha Medical College. Replacing him in Thrissur is Dr. Kochu Krishnan from Alappuzha.
The issue began when Dr. Ashraf flagged the inexperience of the hospital's temporary perfusionist, a vital specialist who operates the cardiopulmonary bypass machine during open-heart procedures. According to Dr. Ashraf, this lack of experience contributed to the death of two patients, prompting the suspension of heart surgeries at the hospital for two months.
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He shared his concerns with an inquiry committee, stating that he was unwilling to take further risks with patients’ lives. A special inspection team, including senior cardiac surgeon Dr. Rajesh from Kozhikode and a perfusionist from Alappuzha, visited the hospital and submitted a report to the Director of Medical Education (DME), which is still under review.
However, instead of addressing the concerns raised, Dr. Ashraf alleges that the authorities transferred him under pressure. He added that when he took charge, the waiting list for heart surgeries stood at nearly 200 patients, but he had reduced the backlog significantly by performing surgeries every alternate day.
As per an Onmanorama news report, the crisis began after the regular perfusionist left for Saudi Arabia and was replaced by a temporary hire lacking sufficient expertise. Dr. Ashraf insists his focus was always on patient safety, not personal issues.
While he holds no grudge against the state government, he plans to appeal the transfer in a tribunal, since he has been denied the right to serve three years in his hometown.
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