Thiruvananthapuram: A serious safety lapse has been reported in the temporary ICU set up at the Medical College Hospital following the recent fire incident.

Treatment is currently being carried out in makeshift conditions, with sections of the ICU concealed behind cloth partitions. This arrangement has caused significant difficulties for patients and medical staff alike. Despite repeated complaints, the issue remains unresolved, prompting the Head of the General Surgery Department to formally write to the Medical College Superintendent demanding urgent intervention.

However, more than a week after the letter was submitted, no action has been taken.

Government Departments Accused of Neglect

A fire broke out on 17 March in the emergency department of the multi-specialty block at the Medical College Hospital. In response, patients were shifted to temporary ICU facilities. At the time, authorities had assured that repairs to the damaged ICUs would be carried out promptly.

More than a month later, no meaningful progress has been made.

Initial inspections were conducted by various departments in the days following the fire, but subsequent follow-up appears to have been lacking.

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Given the hospital’s heavy patient load, postponing surgeries is not considered feasible. As a result, post-operative patients continue to be treated in these temporary ICUs, where even basic facilities are reportedly inadequate. This has led to the current situation, where treatment is being conducted behind cloth coverings.

Frustrated by the ongoing difficulties faced by patients, several doctors had already raised concerns with higher authorities. With no response forthcoming, the Head of the Department was compelled to escalate the matter formally.

Investigation Still Incomplete

Last week, the Medical College Superintendent received a letter from the office of the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Electrical Inspectorate stating that the investigation into the fire has not yet been completed. According to the letter, reports from the UPS manufacturer supplying the Surgical ICU, as well as statements from the ventilator service team, are still required to determine the exact cause of the fire.

The communication also clarified that there are no objections from the Electrical Inspectorate regarding renovation of the damaged area. Despite this, no steps have yet been taken to begin repair work.

Patients and Doctors Under Strain

The hospital is currently facing a severe shortage of ICU beds, particularly in casualty and critical care units. There is also a lack of ventilators, compounding the crisis.

Doctors are under increasing pressure, with many being assigned additional duties across departments. Resident doctors are reportedly working shifts of 12 hours or more, which is proving insufficient to manage the volume of patients arriving from various units.

There are growing concerns that delays in surgeries and the inability to provide adequate care could lead to tensions between hospital staff and patients’ families.