Fire at Medical College: Human Rights Commission orders high-level inquiry

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas has ordered a high-level inquiry into allegations of suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths of five patients who were shifted from the Surgical ICU following a fire at the Medical College’s multi-speciality block.

The Commission took suo motu cognisance of the incident based on media reports and directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department to conduct a detailed and transparent inquiry into the incident. The Commission has asked for a report to be submitted within five weeks, including details on the steps taken to shift patients from the ICU in a timely manner, the cause of death of the five patients, findings in the post-mortem reports, and the opinion of forensic experts.

Investigating officers have been directed to record statements from doctors, other staff, bystanders, and relatives of the deceased. Relevant hospital records, post-mortem certificates, and forensic conclusions must also be submitted along with the report. The inquiry should also verify whether relatives of the deceased have filed complaints, and if so, whether an FIR has been registered.

Justice Alexander Thomas also directed the Director of Medical Education to submit a separate report on the incident. Representatives of the government and the DME have been asked to appear in person at the Commission’s sitting scheduled on May 8.