Cholera death in Thiruvananthapuram: Health Department accused of negligence

Thiruvananthapuram: The death of a man from Kowdiar in Thiruvananthapuram due to cholera has raised serious allegations of negligence against the Health Department. Despite confirming the cause of death as cholera, concerns have been raised about the department's failure to take immediate action, including not testing the well water from which the deceased man’s household sourced drinking water. It is also alleged that the Health Department also failed to inform the ward councilor that the death was caused by cholera.

Ajay R Chandra, aged 63, a retired official from the Agriculture Department, passed away on April 20 after battling severe fever and vomiting. Cholera was confirmed through a blood test conducted after his death. Although the Health Department included his death in the list of fever-related fatalities, it was later confirmed to be caused by cholera. Despite this, the health department failed to visit the home of the deceased or the homes of his neighbours to collect samples, showing clear negligence in handling the situation.

Following the family's revelations, Kowdiar Ward Councilor Sathikumari took the initiative to address the situation, overseeing cleaning activities in the area. However, the Health Department did not communicate with the councilor, nor did it carry out preventive measures. In 2024, nine people in Neyyattinkara were confirmed to have cholera.

The Health Department officially confirmed that cholera was the cause of death on April 22. He had travelled outside Kerala shortly before developing fever, and it is suspected that he contracted cholera from the food he consumed during this trip. No relatives or neighbours of the deceased have been reported to have contracted the disease. 

Ajay is survived by wife Anita S. Christabel and daughter Aishwarya Ann Ajay.