Kozhikode: Following the smoke incident in the emergency department of Kozhikode Medical College, relatives of the patients who were transferred to private hospitals have demanded that the government bear their treatment expenses.

The incident occurred around 8 pm on Friday, when smoke was detected inside the medical college. Efforts were immediately taken to evacuate patients to safety, with several being shifted to the Beach Hospital and private hospitals. Families have now raised concerns over the financial burden, particularly for those who were moved to private facilities, and are urging the government to cover the cost of treatment.

As many as 10 patients are currently in critical condition at Meitra Hospital, nine at Baby Memorial Hospital and two at Aster MIMS.

There were complaints that hospitals demanded money before moving critically ill patients onto ventilators after being transferred from the Medical College. It was alleged that private hospitals insisted on an advance payment, stating daily expenses could go up to Rs 30,000, and that patients unwilling to pay should be moved to the Beach Hospital. However, hospital authorities denied the allegations, saying no such demand was made.

Allegations of negligence

Relatives of the patients, along with Congress leaders, have alleged serious lapses in the infrastructure and maintenance of the emergency block at Kozhikode Medical College. Smoke reportedly spread across four floors, and rescue efforts were hampered by waste and old furniture piled up in evacuation routes. It was also alleged that the ICU had no emergency exit door, and one that was present had been locked with a chain, forcing rescuers to break it open to evacuate patients.

One critically ill patient reportedly died during the evacuation while being removed from a ventilator, according to those involved in the rescue.

DCC president K Praveen Kumar claimed that the hospital premises had no proper emergency exit gates and that ambulances had to be brought in only after breaking the compound wall. He further criticised the hospital authorities for not establishing a fire station in the complex, despite the project being under consideration. MLA T Siddique alleged that the College had not allocated land for the fire station, even though just 20 cents would have sufficed. He also said that the Medical College lacks even a fire and safety technician. Congress leaders further alleged that the fire incident was caused by a short circuit in the newly constructed block, pointing to negligence.

Doubts surround five deaths

There is growing suspicion surrounding the deaths of five patients during the incident. While hospital authorities claimed that the patients did not die due to smoke inhalation, the relatives alleged that the deaths occurred during the chaotic evacuation. According to them, disruption of ongoing treatment while moving patients in critical condition led to their deaths.