An enquiry carried out into the allegations of medical negligence at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district has reportedly cleared the hospital of charges.
The enquiry was carried out to probe the alleged medical negligence surrounding the death of Dr Mary who had undergone treatment at RCC.
Malayalam media reported on Tuesday that the enquiry report submitted to the health secretary absolved the hospital of charges of negligence. The report, submitted by a team of doctors led by RCC additional director Dr Ramdas, stated that all possible treatment was given to Dr Mary, but her condition deteriorated.
A panel consisting of doctors from RCC was constituted by the Kerala health department last week, after the Ras-al-Khaimah-based Malayali general physician Dr Reji Jacob accused the hospital of negligence resulting in his wife's death.
Dr Mary, who was suffering from cancer in the spleen, was undergoing treatment at the centre and was shifted out to GG hospital in the city after her condition worsened. She passed away on March 18. Following this, Dr Reji had levelled allegations of medical negligence against RCC, accusing multiple doctors of laxity. Pointing out instances where the doctors at RCC had failed to address his concerns, Dr Reji alleged that the doctors had failed to refer the patient to an advanced care hospital on time, which led to her death.
Dr Reji’s posted his allegations in a video message, which was shared widely on social media platforms, forcing the government to form an enquiry panel to look into the allegations.
However, Dr Reji dismissed the enquiry report and termed the investigation a “whitewash”.
“How can a probe conducted by RCC doctors against their own yield any result? This is a report that hides lapses on the part of doctors at RCC. Moreover, I am the complainant, yet this panel has not reached out to me for my side at all. This is purely a one-sided report,” Dr Reji told Asianet News.