Coop hospital deaths: Probe panel gathers proof

The inquiry committee, formed to probe into the death of three persons at the Cooperative Medical College hospital, Kalamassery, on Saturday collected evidence from the employees who have been suspended in connection with the incident. Dr Gills George, convenor of the inquiry committee constituted by the hospital, said that they have gathered information from medical superintendent Dr K G R Mallan, M R Rajesh and Akkamma Jacob, nurse -in-charge of the Medical ICU. “An internal inquiry was also conducted. We could not record the statements of the relatives of the deceased as they did not lodge complaints with the hospital authorities,” said Gills.

The committee was formed by the hospital authorities in the wake of protests from the various quarters regarding the incident.

The government also appointed an inquiry committee on Friday to probe into the deaths of the three who lost their lives allegedly owing to the callousness of the hospital authorities. The Cooperative Academy of Professional Education (CAPE) officials confirmed that a three-member committee has been appointed. “The committee appointed by the Cooperative Department will have Dr Ravindran, special officer, Cooperative Department, as the chairman. He will be assisted by Dr Ramdas and Dr Dinesh Prabhu from Government Medical College, Thrissur. The committee  was  asked to submit its report within 15 days,” said R Rajeev, senior administrative officer, CAPE.

He said that the CAPE put forth the suggestion of an inquiry committee which was later accepted by the government.

Three persons, Varghese, Pappu and Jayachandran, lost their lives owing to the non-availability of oxygen in the Medical ICU.

The Registered Nurses Association - Cape members who sent a detailed report to the Chief Minister said that they would initiate further proceedings only after getting the report of the committee constituted by the hospital officials on Monday.

Meanwhile, the BJP took out a protest march from Kangarappady to the administrative block of the hospital demanding that the state government take up the matter.

Various other organisations, who had also taken out protest marches, said that they would move on with further proceedings only after receiving the report by the hospital.

The Kalamassery police said that they have not registered a case in this regard as they are yet to receive any complaint.