Idukki ,August 10
Protests erupted at the Thodupuzha District Hospital on Monday after a child suffering from high fever was allegedly sent away from the casualty wing without treatment due to a shortage of doctors, even as Health Minister K Muraleedharan was visiting the hospital.
According to reports, the child had been waiting for a considerable time to be examined when the fever worsened and the child developed a seizure. The parents sought immediate medical attention, but hospital authorities allegedly informed them that sufficient doctors were not available to provide emergency treatment.
The family was subsequently advised to take the child to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam for further treatment. Alarmed by the child’s deteriorating condition, the parents left for Kottayam.
The incident triggered protests among patients and their relatives, several of whom alleged that they had been waiting in queues for hours to consult doctors.
Muraleedharan was at the hospital at the time of the incident. The minister had arrived in Thodupuzha to attend a private programme and visited the district hospital during his trip.
As he was leaving the hospital, media personnel sought his response to the allegations surrounding the child. The minister, however, declined to comment on the incident and asked reporters to seek an explanation from the hospital superintendent.
Meanwhile, DYFI activists staged a protest outside the hospital, demanding action against those responsible and immediate measures to address the shortage of doctors.
Patients have alleged that inadequate staffing has been a longstanding problem at the hospital, frequently resulting in long waiting periods.
The casualty wing reportedly has only three doctors, who are also required to attend to out-patients. The shortage has raised concerns that even patients requiring urgent medical attention are struggling to receive timely treatment at the district hospital.
