Kerala teen death: Family alleges medical negligence by govt hospital, case filed
Kerala teen death: Family alleges medical negligence by govt hospital, case filed

Kerala teen death: Family alleges medical negligence by govt hospital, case filed

Hospital authorities say that she died due to an allergic reaction.

Protests were held outside Kochi’s Karuvelipady Government Hospital on Thursday by the family of 18-year-old Aishwarya, who died on Wednesday. Her family alleged the cause of her death was negligence on the part of the hospital.

An asthma patient, Aishwarya was admitted to the hospital on Monday after she suffered an attack. According to hospital authorities, she passed away on Wednesday at 5:45 pm.

Aishwarya’s family alleged that she died due to medical negligence. A case has also been registered against the hospital by the Thoppumpady police.

“She had walked into the hospital but she did not leave that way. The cause of my daughter's death appears to be due to the fault of the hospital. Strong action must be taken against the hospital. What happened to me should not happen to others,” Aishwarya’s father Sudheer told the Times of India.

The police, however, told TNM that it was not clear if medical negligence was the cause of death.

“We have registered a case on the basis of the statement of the girl’s father. We have to probe into the matter. Death by negligence is yet to be confirmed,” said Assistant Commissioner Sreejith, the investigating officer.

“Aishwarya was admitted to the hospital on 5th because she had an asthma attack. She spent the whole day under observation and was shifted to the ward on 6th. She had an asthma attack again on 6th and was taken to the casualty,” said Sreejith.

Hospital authorities reportedly administered some injections, after which Aishwarya was uneasy.

“The hospital authorities reportedly gave her some injections and the girl developed uneasiness in a short while, and later collapsed. The family of the girl has cited the injection to be the cause of death,” Sreejith added.

He also told TNM that the girl was transferred to the Ernakulam Medical Trust Hospital on the same day and was admitted to the ICU, where she died.

Health Committee Chairperson of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, V K Minimol, said that a detailed report has been sought from the hospital Superintendent.

“It is not clear if the death was caused by negligence or not. We have asked for a detailed report from the hospital Superintendent, including the post-mortem report. Required action will be taken according to the findings of the report,” Minimol said.

Speaking to TNM, hospital Superintendent Dr Minu Mathew said that they are awaiting the results of the post-mortem.  

“This is not a case of medical negligence. We are awaiting the postmortem reports to cross-check the details,” she said.

“The patient was administered an antibiotic injection called ceftriaxone after she had an asthma attack. The nurse asked the patient and her family if she was allergic to any antibiotics, and a test dose was also given,” Minu added.

“After the full dose was given, the patient collapsed. She was immediately given first-aid, after which she was taken to the Medical Trust Hospital. This is a case of allergic reaction to the antibiotic injection,” Minu said.

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