Patient's death leads to tension

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 25. A 27-year-old youth, Shaji, who slipped into a critical state after undergoing surgery at the Medical College Hospital on March 9, died at around 9.30 a.m. today, even as his relatives alleged medical negligence as the cause of his death.

On the basis of a complaint filed by Shaji's mother, the Medical College Police have registered a case of death under suspicious circumstances. An inquest was held today in the presence of the RDO and a post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow.

Tension prevailed in the Medical College area following the youth's death. A hartal has been called in the Medical College and Pongummoodu areas tomorrow.

Shaji, a resident of Pongummoodu, was first admitted to the Medical College Hospital on March 3 with an injury to the hand sustained in a fall. He was discharged after treatment the next day itself. However, as the pain did not subside, he returned to the Medical College on March 9 and was admitted for an orthopaedic surgery.

After the operation, the patient's condition began to deteriorate and he was shifted to the critical care unit. The patient's mother, Ms. Syamala, a widow, told a press conference on March 22 that all efforts to get an explanation from the doctors and hospital staff as to what was wrong with Shaji, had been in vain.

She had expressed fear that the life of her son, the sole bread- winner of the family, was in danger. She had also submitted appeals to the Health Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Human Rights Commission in this connection.

Hospital authorities said Shaji had a cardiac arrest on the operating table under anaesthesia, which happens in rare instances. Denying the charge that the patient's condition was kept a secret, they said the Anaesthesia Wing, which was in charge of the patient, had allowed the relatives to see the patient on a daily basis.

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Section  : Southern States
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