Inquiry ordered after maggots found in patient's surgical wound at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College
Medical Negligence
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan has ordered an inquiry into allegations that maggots were found in the surgical wound of a patient who underwent surgery at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Muraleedharan said that a panel of specialist doctors had been constituted to investigate the incident and was directed to submit its report within 48 hours.
The panel includes the principal of the medical college, the hospital superintendent and the heads of the Orthopaedic and Surgical departments.
"They have been directed to submit a report within 48 hours, by Wednesday evening. They have been asked to examine how the maggot infestation occurred when the patient was in the ICU, news agency PTI reported.
"Besides that, the hospital staff who misbehaved with the patient's family members will be sent for counselling," he said.
The minister also noted that the patient's family had not given an oral or written complaint regarding the issue to anyone.
"I learned about it via a news report at 11 pm on Monday. In that, the patient's daughter has made serious allegations, including of bribe demands, against the entire medical college system.
"Let her inform the panel who all sought bribes. There will be stringent action in the matter, irrespective of who is responsible for it, so that such an incident never happens again. The orders were issued based on the news report," the minister said, reports PTI.
"If there is any fault on the part of the superintendent, action will be taken against him," he added.
Maggot infestation was reportedly found in the wound of a man who had undergone surgery on his leg following a road accident. The condition came to light after he was shifted from the ICU to the general ward.
About media reports of a patient who allegedly died after falling from the bed of the medical college, the minister said that the man was suffering from Wilson's disease, and it had affected his brain and liver.
"Whether he died due to the fall from the bed or his disease can be confirmed only after the postmortem report comes. Further steps will be taken based on that. Whatever issues come to the government's attention, they will be looked into immediately," Muraleedharan said.
