Published Sep 01, 2026 | 1:34 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 01, 2026 | 1:35 PM
Sukumara Pillai had suffered injuries to his forehead and face after falling from his hospital cot.
The death of an 87-year-old stroke patient a day after he fell from a hospital cot at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, has sparked allegations of negligence and renewed calls for stronger patient safety norms and regular safety audits in public healthcare facilities.
Sukumara Pillai, a native of Chadayamangalam, Keralam, had been referred from Kollam Government Medical College and admitted to Ward 28 at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College on August 26.
Hospital authorities said he was permitted two caregivers—his son and sister.
On August 29, Pillai fell from his cot and suffered injuries to his forehead and face. Doctors attended to him, but he died on August 30.
His family alleged that inadequate care following the fall contributed to his death. Medical College authorities rejected the allegation, maintaining that he had received proper care.
Superintendent CG Jayachandran said the patient was not unattended and fell while his son was acting as caregiver.
Authorities said differences also arose after the family demanded the release of the body without a postmortem.
The postmortem report is awaited.
The incident has again highlighted concerns over the shortage of hospital cots fitted with protective side rails. Authorities said only five or six such beds were available in most wards and were prioritised for patients without caregivers, those with head injuries, delirium or psychiatric conditions.
A similar case involving a patient who fell from a cot was reported in June.
Public health activist B Ekbal held the government accountable.
Ekbal argued that placing patients with paralysis, reduced mobility, coma or other serious conditions on ordinary beds without adequate safeguards amounted to a serious lapse in patient safety.
He said expensive infrastructure development could not substitute basic safeguards such as safety railings, fall-prevention systems, adequate monitoring and nursing care.
The episode has also revived demands for comprehensive safety audits in government hospitals, with experts and activists calling for mandatory patient safety checklists, clear protocols and accountability mechanisms to protect elderly and critically ill patients.
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(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
