Family alleges medical negligence after man’s death at TVM Medical College; Health Minister orders investigation

Thiruvananthapuram: The death of a man who had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition at the Government Medical College Hospital here has led to allegations of medical negligence from his family.

The deceased, identified as Kollam-native Venu, passed away on Wednesday night. His family has alleged that delays in treatment and lack of medical attention led to his death. According to Venu’s wife, he had been referred to the medical college from Kollam as his condition was critical.

“We reached the hospital on Saturday night and as the next day was a Sunday, there was no duty doctor. I was told to take an out-patient (OP) ticket on Monday to show him to the cardiologist. The cardiologist said that an angiogram can be conducted on Wednesday or Friday. Then, when his condition worsened and I told the nurses that several times, the doctor came and prescribed some medicines. But he died in the end,” she told reporters.

What does the hospital say?

The hospital’s medical superintendent denied the family’s allegations and stated that there was no medical negligence or lack of treatment provided to the patient.

What action has been taken?

Health Minister Veena George has instructed the Director of the Department of Medical Education to immediately investigate the family’s complaint and submit a report.

Political reactions to the death

The incident has triggered a political storm in Kerala, with the Congress-led UDF opposition holding the state government and Health Minister Veena George responsible for the death.

Following the incident, UDF workers held a protest on the national highway, blocking one side of the road. They displayed a poster of the minister lying on the road, covered in black oil.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan alleged that Venu died due to lack of treatment and demanded that a murder case be registered against those responsible.

What are the allegations from the opposition?

In a statement from his office, Satheesan alleged that Venu was “killed” as a result of systemic failures and the collapse of the Health Department during the last nine-and-a-half years of LDF rule.

He said that the audio message recorded by the victim, which circulated in the media after his death, should be treated as a ‘dying declaration’ and that a case of murder should be filed on that basis.

Satheesan also demanded the resignation of Health Minister Veena George, claiming that it would be in the best interests of the health and safety of the public.

He accused the minister of failing to fix the “malfunctions” in the health system, which she often blames for such incidents. Neither the minister nor the state government has issued a response to the allegations so far.

What did the opposition leader say further?

Satheesan contended that the minister cannot escape responsibility for Venu’s death, as he had been admitted for an emergency angiogram but was allegedly left without treatment for several days.

Referring to Venu’s audio message, Satheesan said it suggested that “the hospital does not care for patients.”

He added, “The minister and the government should not forget that it is the common people who become victims of their mismanagement and incompetence.”

PTI inputs