Patient's death at Ernakulam MCH sparks negligence allegations, protests

Allegations of medical negligence have emerged following the sudden death of a 40-year-old man at the Ernakulam Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) on Sunday (September 27), at a time when he was reportedly set to be discharged after surgery for multiple leg fractures.

The deceased has been identified as P.S. Haleelur Rahman, a Mattancherry native employed at the Cochin Fisheries Harbour in Thoppumpady. He had been referred to the MCH from the Ernakulam General Hospital, where he was taken after a two-wheeler accident in Mattancherry on September 22. Diagnosed with three fractures in his right leg, he underwent surgery on September 25 and was subsequently moved from the post-operative unit to the surgical ward.

According to his family, Rahman had been cleared for discharge on Sunday. They said he returned from the bathroom that morning, began sweating heavily and then collapsed unconscious. The family alleged that neither doctors nor nurses were immediately available to provide emergency care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), despite alarms being raised.

The family has also disputed the timeline of his death. While they said they were informed of the death around 10.30 a.m., official records indicate a later time. Hospital management sources said an ECG taken between 10.35 a.m. and 10.40 a.m. showed complications, and the death certificate recorded the time of death as 11.15 a.m.

A preliminary internal inquiry found that the patient was attended to and shifted to the ICU after attempts to resuscitate him failed. Hospital management said the death could have been caused by a sudden heart attack, but this can be confirmed only after an autopsy.

A five-member committee comprising four heads of departments and the Deputy Superintendent has been constituted to probe the incident. The panel held its first meeting on Monday (September 28) and has been asked to submit a preliminary report within five days after recording statements from all concerned, including bystanders.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the CPI(M) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) staged a protest at the hospital, demanding action against the staff members who were on duty. The family has lodged a complaint with the Kalamassery police alleging criminal negligence and has submitted a petition to the hospital authorities seeking the suspension of the doctors and nurses on duty at the time.