Thiruvananthapuram — Amid allegations of medical negligence following the deaths of two sisters from Kollam due to Hepatitis A, the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital has denied any lapse in care, asserting that the patients were diagnosed and treated promptly upon admission.
Neethu (15) and Meenakshi (19), daughters of Murali from Cherikonam near Kannanalloor, were admitted to the hospital on May 13 and 14 with symptoms of fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Meenakshi passed away on May 10, followed by Neethu on May 12 while undergoing treatment. Their 10-year-old brother Ambadi is currently under treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
Their father, Murali, alleged that hospital authorities delayed critical treatment, particularly in shifting Neethu to a ventilator only after her sister’s death. “Had they been given adequate treatment on time, their lives could have been saved. This wouldn’t have happened to a rich family,” he said, questioning the quality of care provided.
Responding to the allegations, Hospital Superintendent Dr. B S Sunilkumar rejected claims of negligence. He stated that both girls were diagnosed with severe Hepatitis A, which rapidly affected their liver. “They were given expert care by the general medicine department. Tests confirmed rapidly progressing liver failure. Plasma exchange therapy was initiated by the gastroenterology and nephrology departments, and the parents were informed of the critical situation,” he said.
Doctors had recommended liver transplants, but the girls’ health deteriorated before the procedures could be arranged. Both were placed on ventilators, but eventually succumbed to the disease. A postmortem was conducted on one of the girls to determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities continue to monitor the health of the surviving sibling and have not ruled out further investigations into the case.
