KSEB under fire after patient dies in power cut; 'Why didn't you buy inverter' remark sparks outrage

Palakkad, Kerala: A family in Palakkad has alleged that an elderly patient died after an unexpected power outage disrupted the functioning of an oxygen concentrator at home, leaving him without adequate oxygen support.

The family said the critically ill patient had been discharged from the hospital last week and was dependent on an oxygen concentrator for survival. During a power outage late Friday night, the device stopped functioning, causing his oxygen levels to fall rapidly.

According to the report, the family immediately contacted the local Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) office seeking urgent assistance. Power supply was later restored, and the oxygen concentrator resumed functioning. However, the patient's condition remained critical, and he died around 6 a.m. on Friday, the family alleged.

The incident came to light after social activist Chithra Abhay shared the family's account in a Facebook post, alleging that the response from KSEB officials was insensitive. In the post, she said the family was asked, "Why didn't you buy an inverter for your house?" when they sought emergency assistance during the outage.

Chithra also criticised the ongoing power restrictions in the state, saying many families could not afford expensive backup systems such as inverters or oxygen cylinders.

However, her Facebook post did not identify the patient, specify the exact location of the incident, or name the KSEB office or the person who contacted it.