Thiruvananthapuram: Beset with serious allegations of medical negligence following the death of 48-year-old Kollam native Venu, the Medical College authorities have ruled out lapses, putting together a timeline of events. In a press release, the medical college officials said that the doctors decided against performing an angiogram or angioplasty immediately on him due to creatinine levels. Venu was admitted to the hospital on October 31 after complaining of chest pain. His family, however, alleged that he was denied timely treatment, leading to his death a few days later.

“All possible modern treatments were provided as per medical protocol,” Dr Jayachandran said, adding that this could be scientifically verified through any medical review. “Such false propaganda only undermines the credibility of an institution that ordinary patients depend on. We urge the public to refrain from spreading baseless accusations,” he said.

According to hospital records, Venu was brought to the emergency department at 7.47 pm on November 1 with chest pain. After evaluation by doctors from both the Medicine and Cardiology departments, he was admitted at 8.49 pm under Medicine Unit 6 in Ward 28.

Doctors decided against performing an angiogram or angioplasty immediately, citing elevated creatinine levels, which posed a risk of kidney damage if such procedures were carried out. Instead, a medication-based treatment was initiated. Venu, who also had a history of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, was prescribed blood thinners and medicines to manage his other conditions.

He was reviewed by doctors from the Medicine Department on November 2 and 3, after which a cardiology review was requested. Based on their recommendation, Venu was shifted to the cardiology ward. The hospital stated that during these assessments, no new cardiac complications were reported or detected, and his existing medications were continued.

Routine reviews by cardiologists on November 4 and 5 (morning) reportedly showed no fresh issues. However, on the evening of November 5 (around 6.15 pm), Venu developed breathing difficulty while being taken to the echo lab for an echocardiogram. Recognising the onset of cardiac distress, doctors shifted him to the main ICU (ICCU 2) by 7.15 pm and placed him on a ventilator within ten minutes. Despite continuous specialist care, Venu suffered repeated cardiac arrests and died at 10.45 pm.

Venu’s wife, Sindhu, brushed aside the contentions of the hospital authorities. She said that his angiogram was repeatedly delayed despite being referred for the procedure by a doctor at Kollam District Hospital. She alleged that the test was postponed because the hospital prioritised patients who had pre-booked slots.

“The hospital promised to do the angiogram on Wednesday, but it didn’t happen. Venu kept complaining of headaches, but when we approached the MICU, there was no response for hours,” she said. She added that when a doctor prescribed a painkiller, the nurse informed her that it was unavailable at the pharmacy.

Sindhu claimed that a cardiologist had advised that the angiogram should ideally be done within three days after a heart attack. When it wasn’t performed even by the fifth day, Venu’s condition worsened. “During the echo test, he felt uneasy and was shifted to the ICU. Within minutes, the doctor told me he was critical,” she recalled.

The controversy arose after a voice message recorded by Venu before his death surfaced online. He accused hospital staff of neglect, alleging they “did not treat him even like a dog” despite his requests for emergency care.

Following the public outcry, Health Minister Veena George ordered a probe into the incident. The Director of Medical Education has been tasked with conducting an inquiry and submitting a report to the Minister. The investigation was initiated after Venu’s family filed a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Health Minister.