Maggots found in bedsores of COVID cured bedridden man; Health minister orders probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Maggots were found in bedsores of a bedridden man, who was discharged from hospital after being cured of COVID-19, his family claimed following which Kerala health minister KK Shailaja on Monday ordered a probe. Shailaja asked the Medical Education Department director to look into the matter and file a report.

Relatives of 55-year-old Anilkumar had filed a complaint with the health minister on Sunday evening, saying when the health department brought him home, they found maggots wriggling in his bedsores.

"The Director of the Department of Medical Education has been asked to probe the incident and file a report. We will ensure proper treatment for Anilkumar," the minister said in a statement.

Anilkumar, a daily wage labourer, was hospitalised on August 21 after he suffered a fall and was bedridden.

"As his health deteriorated, he was shifted to the ICU. He was tested positive for coronavirus. The hospital authorities asked us to go into quarantine.

But when we inquired about the father's condition, they assured us that he is being taken care of well," his daughter, Anjana, told the media.

His son, Abhilash said medical college officials informed him that his condition was stable and they were going to discharge him.

"The authorities allotted a nurse in an ambulance after he was discharged, but once he was shifted to bed at our residence, we found maggots," he said.