Patient dies after falling from medical college bed; police file case on son’s complaint 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 62-year-old patient undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital here passed away after sustaining severe injuries from a fall from his hospital bed. The deceased has been identified as Wilfred, a native of Perayam in Kollam district.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening in Ward 5 of the hospital, where Wilfred had been admitted since May 25. According to hospital sources, the patient was battling a severe case of jaundice that had progressively affected his liver and brain. The neurological impact had reportedly led to disorientation and erratic behaviour over the last few days.

According to eye-witness accounts, the incident took place around 5:30 PM on May 30. Wilfred suddenly fell forward from bed number 17 onto the floor before bystanders could intervene. Although doctors rushed to the spot and immediately shifted him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to his critical condition, he succumbed to his injuries an hour later, at around 6:30 PM. Following a formal complaint filed by the deceased’s son, Lenin, the Medical College Police have registered a case of unnatural death and initiated an investigation.

Meanwhile, the tragic incident has sparked allegations of medical negligence. Questions are being raised as to why standard safety protocols were not enforced. It is common practice in hospitals to secure the limbs of disoriented or restless patients with the consent of their bystanders to prevent such mishaps. Critics and relatives are now questioning why the hospital staff failed to take these precautionary measures in Wilfred's case, despite being aware of his volatile mental state.