A distressing case of alleged medical negligence has surfaced in Kochi, where the body of a missing man was discovered in a hospital mortuary three days after his death. The family, who had been frantically searching for him, accuses the hospital of a grave lapse in protocol and communication.
Three-Day Search Ends in Hospital Mortuary
The incident involves VK Sivan, a 65-year-old resident of Kumbalangi. According to his son, Vishnu S, Sivan left his home on October 31, 2024. When he did not return, the family filed a missing person's complaint with the Kumbalangi police on November 1. Their search, however, came to a tragic and shocking end.
On November 3, the family learned that Sivan's body was lying in the mortuary of the Government General Hospital in Ernakulam. He had been admitted to the hospital on October 31 itself after reportedly collapsing near the High Court junction. Despite having identification documents on him, the hospital failed to inform his family. Sivan passed away on the same day of admission, but his body remained unidentified in the morgue for three days while his kin searched the city.
Family Alleges Systemic Failure and Negligence
Vishnu S, the deceased's son, has raised serious allegations against the hospital administration. He stated that his father was carrying his Aadhaar card and other IDs, which should have allowed the hospital to immediately notify the next of kin. The family questions why this standard procedure was not followed.
"This is sheer negligence on the part of the hospital," Vishnu said. He pointed out the emotional trauma inflicted upon the family, who spent days imagining various scenarios while their father's body was just a few kilometers away. The family has demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against the officials responsible for the lapse.
Hospital's Response and Official Actions
Following the family's complaint, the Kumbalangi police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the sequence of events. The focus is on understanding the breakdown in communication at the hospital that led to this situation.
While the hospital authorities are yet to issue a detailed public statement, the incident has sparked a debate about the efficiency of patient identification and kin notification protocols in public hospitals. This case highlights a critical gap in the system, where a deceased person's family was left in the dark due to administrative failure.
The police are now examining the hospital's records from the day of admission and questioning the staff involved in the intake process. The family seeks answers and accountability for the distress caused during an already difficult time of loss.
