Elderly woman's death at Alappuzha Medical College: Relatives stage protest alleging medical negligence

AMBALAPPUZHA: Relatives of an elderly woman staged a protest before the emergency department of the Alappuzha Medical College alleging that the elderly woman died due to the medical negligence of the hospital staff. The deceased woman has been identified as Punnapra native Umaiba (70). Umaiba had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the last 24 days.

Umaiba, who was admitted to the hospital with a fever and cough, was shifted to the Neuro ICU of the Super Specialty Hospital on Tuesday after suffering from a high fever. As her condition worsened, she was shifted to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital in an ICU ambulance that day itself. However, she died on the very next day. Following this, her relatives and locals took her body to the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital and staged a protest in front of the emergency department there. The protesters dispersed only after the hospital superintendent assured to conduct an investigation. Umaiba has two children: Niyas and Shani.

Umaiba, who was suffering from fever and cough, reached the hospital on foot. However, she was given treatment only for low sodium levels in the blood. In the meantime, Umaiba started experiencing high fever. But she was admitted to the ICU very late, the relatives said. Relatives also complained that Umaiba was examined only by PG doctors and the duty doctor who admitted her did not visit or examine her even once.

Doctors at Kottayam Medical College Hospital said that Umaiba's life could have been saved if she had been brought there three days before. Umaiba's relatives said that they would lodge complaints with the Chief Minister and the Health Minister.