Kerala Hospital Authorities Firmly Deny Fire Incident Linked to Patient Fatalities
In a strong rebuttal, authorities at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital have categorically rejected allegations connecting the deaths of five patients to a fire that erupted in the surgical ICU of the multi-speciality block last Tuesday. Describing such claims as 'unfortunate' and factually incorrect, hospital officials issued a joint statement on Saturday to address the growing controversy.
Official Statement Clarifies Deaths Were Due to Accident Injuries
The medical college principal and hospital superintendent emphasized that attempts to associate the patient deaths with the fire incident are misleading. All five individuals were undergoing treatment for severe injuries sustained in road accidents, and treating doctors, including ICU specialists, have clarified that the fatalities were unrelated to the fire or its aftermath.
According to hospital authorities, post-mortem examinations conducted by the forensic department confirmed that the deaths resulted solely from accident-related injuries, not the fire. They also noted that no formal complaints have been received so far regarding this matter.
Hospital Warns Against Misinformation and Threatens Legal Action
Warning against the spread of misinformation, officials stated that legal action would be initiated against media outlets publishing what they termed 'baseless and misleading reports'. This move aims to curb the circulation of unverified claims that could damage the hospital's reputation and cause public alarm.
Families of Deceased Patients Raise Serious Concerns and Allegations
Despite the hospital's denials, relatives of some of the deceased have voiced serious concerns. The family of Saneesh, a native of Neyyattinkara who was admitted after a bike accident, alleged that his condition worsened significantly following the fire. They claimed the disruption during the emergency evacuation contributed to his death the next morning.
Similar allegations were raised by the relatives of Krishnankutty from Oyur, who asserted that his health deteriorated after being shifted from the ICU in the aftermath of the incident. Hospital records indicate that Krishnankutty died around 12:45 PM on the day of the fire, adding to the families' suspicions.
Details of the Fire Incident and Evacuation Efforts
The fire broke out on March 17 in the emergency department of the multi-speciality block, triggering a rapid evacuation. Patients in critical care units, including the ICU, along with hospital staff, were moved to alternative facilities within the campus to ensure safety. This emergency response was executed swiftly to prevent further harm.
Political Opposition Steps Up Pressure for Investigation
Meanwhile, political opposition has intensified pressure on the government. Leader of the opposition V D Satheesan termed the reports 'shocking' and highlighted the seriousness of the allegations by relatives. Criticizing the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, he alleged systemic failures in the healthcare sector and insisted that the incident warrants an urgent and thorough investigation to address public concerns and ensure accountability.
