'If I die, it will be due to medical negligence’: Kollam man’s voice clip surfaces after death at TVM MCH

Kollam: A day after the death of Kollam native Venu (48) at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH), audio clips surfaced on Thursday in which he alleged medical negligence and corruption while under treatment. The deceased, an autorickshaw driver from Panmana, was admitted to the cardiology wing of the hospital on November 1 following complaints of chest pain.

According to his family, Venu was initially taken to the Kollam District Hospital, from where he was referred to Thiruvananthapuram MCH for urgent care on October 31. “Venu was taken to the district hospital following sweating and chest pain. The ECG showed significant variations, and doctors confirmed that he had suffered a heart attack. Due to the possibility of a second attack, they referred him to Thiruvananthapuram MCH for urgent care,” said Radha, Venu’s relative.

“But while at the hospital, he was denied treatment. He was made to lie on the floor of the ward till yesterday, when he was taken to the Intensive Care Unit following heart palpitations. Ten minutes later, he was declared dead. We do not know what exactly happened,” she added.

In the audio clip that surfaced after his death, Venu can be heard saying, “Thiruvananthapuram Medical College is fully corrupted. If a patient asks about medical updates, they do not let us know. I kept asking the doctor during rounds when I would be treated, and they had no idea. Everywhere, they take bribes. If something happens to me due to medical negligence, my voice must be made public.”

According to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College superintendent Dr C G Jayachandran, the patient was admitted to the cardiology wing on November 1 following complaints of chest pain. “The patient sought treatment 24 hours after he started having chest pain. We treated him with the necessary medicines. The patient had a long history of diabetes and hypertension and had even suffered a stroke earlier. As of now, this is merely an allegation made by a patient, and no enquiry will be conducted. No lapse has been identified,” Dr Jayachandran told Onmanorama.

The family has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Health Minister Veena George, seeking an inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile, the Health Minister has directed the Director of Medical Education to probe into the matter and submit a report.

Venu is survived by his wife, Sindhu, and two daughters, Pooja and Vidya. After the post-mortem examination, his body was handed over to the family. The funeral rites will be held at 3 pm on Thursday.