Kollam man’s death at TVM Medical College: Health Minister orders probe, Congress stages protest

Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George on Thursday ordered a probe into the death of Kollam native Venu (48) at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH). It is alleged that Venu, who was admitted to the hospital, died after being denied timely treatment for six days.

Protests erupted against the hospital authorities after a voice clip of the deceased leaked online. In the clip, sent to a friend, Venu was heard complaining about medical negligence at the hospital. The Director of Medical Education has been instructed to conduct an inquiry and submit a report to the Health Minister on Venu’s death and the allegations raised against the hospital.

The probe was ordered after Venu’s family filed a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Health Minister Veena George.

Angiogram delayed
Venu’s wife Sindhu told Manorama News that he was admitted to a ward even after a doctor at the Kollam District Hospital had referred him for an emergency angiogram. “The doctor at the medical college told us that the angiogram would be done on Wednesday. But it was delayed, as only those who had pre-booked were being called,” she said.

She added that Venu had been complaining of a headache since the day of admission, but no proper medical care was provided. “I went to the MICU to meet the doctor, but there was no response. As we repeatedly contacted the MICU, a doctor finally came and prescribed a painkiller. However, the nurse told us that the tablet was unavailable in the pharmacy. When I consulted a cardiologist, he said the angiogram should be performed within three days after a heart attack. As it was not performed on the third day, it should be performed on the fifth day. Venu complained of uneasiness during the echo test and was later shifted to the ICU after he developed breathing difficulty. Within five minutes, the doctor called me and said he was in critical condition,” she recalled.

Congress workers arrested
Meanwhile, the Congress staged a protest in front of the medical college on Thursday morning. Several Congress activists were arrested for attempting to enter the Superintendent’s office.

Opposition leader VD Satheesan criticised the LDF government and alleged that the health department under the LDF is a complete failure.

Venu, a cardiac patient, was rushed to GMCH on October 31 after suffering chest pain. In the leaked audio clip, he was heard saying that the hospital staff “did not treat him even like a dog” when he sought emergency care. However, Medical College Superintendent Dr Jayachandran dismissed the allegations of medical negligence.