Kottayam: A 49-year-old woman undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Kottayam, died during a gynaecological procedure, prompting her family to lodge a formal complaint alleging medical negligence. The incident has led the police to register a case and the hospital to initiate an internal probe.
Patient Identified; Family Alleges Negligence
The deceased has been identified as Shalini Ambujakshan, a resident of Kothanallur and a traffic warden in Ernakulam. According to her husband, Ambujakshan, Shalini arrived at the hospital in the early morning for treatment of excessive menstrual bleeding and was scheduled for a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. Family members say she had no prior serious illnesses such as hypertension or diabetes.
Sudden Collapse During Treatment
Relatives allege that Shalini felt weak, fainted and collapsed after medication was administered. She was first shifted to the gynaecology ICU and placed on a ventilator, and later moved to the Critical Intensive Care Unit (CICU) as her condition deteriorated. Despite resuscitation efforts, she was declared dead.
Police Case Registered; Postmortem Completed
Gandhi Nagar police registered a complaint following the family’s allegations. Authorities conducted an inquest and postmortem, after which the body was handed over to the family and cremated the same evening. Officials said the postmortem was carried out to determine the precise cause of death.
Hospital Denies Medical Error; Probe Launched
Hospital authorities have denied any medical negligence. The Deputy Superintendent of Kottayam MCH noted that the patient experienced discomfort soon after medication was given and suggested that stress may have contributed to a cardiac event. The medical college principal has constituted an inquiry team — including the heads of the gynaecology and cardiology departments and the RMO — to examine treatment records and the sequence of events.
Family Seeks Accountability
Shalini is survived by her husband and three sons. Her family has demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led to her sudden collapse and death, alleging that her condition worsened only after hospital treatment began.
Next Steps
Investigators said they will review medical records, treatment notes, the postmortem report and statements from hospital staff and relatives. Further action will depend on the inquiry findings and any forensic or autopsy results.
Summary: The unexpected death of a relatively young patient at GMCH Kottayam has prompted criminal and administrative inquiries amid family allegations of negligence. Hospital officials say an internal panel is investigating while police await detailed forensic findings.
