The incident occurred on 29 December, when six patients developed tremors and vomiting while undergoing dialysis at the hospital.
Published Jan 01, 2026 | 1:52 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 01, 2026 | 1:52 PM
Representational image.
Synopsis: Health Minister Veena George has sought a detailed report, and an additional expert team from Thiruvananthapuram is scheduled to reach Harippad on Thursday, 1 January for a more comprehensive probe.
The deaths of two dialysis patients and serious health complications suffered by four others at the Government Taluk Hospital in Harippad have triggered allegations of medical negligence, forcing the Health Department to shut down the hospital’s dialysis unit and order a high-level investigation.
The deceased were identified as Ramachandran (60) of Vettuveni, Harippad, and Majeed (52) of Puthukkad Tharayil, Kayamkulam.
Another patient, Rajesh Kumar (60) of Karthikappally, is currently undergoing treatment at Vandanam Government Medical College with symptoms suspected to be infection-related.
The incident occurred on 29 December, when six patients developed tremors and vomiting while undergoing dialysis at the hospital.
The Harippad hospital dialysis unit has the capacity to conduct dialysis for seven patients at a time.
During the morning shift, four patients developed health complications mid-procedure. Three of them were referred to Government Medical College Hospital, Vandanam. However, due to the non-availability of ICU beds, Ramachandran was shifted to a private hospital, where he later died.
Majeed, who was admitted to the Medical College Hospital, died on the night of 30 December. A third patient remains under treatment.
Later the same day, two more patients who underwent dialysis in the afternoon shift also developed similar symptoms, though they were discharged after receiving emergency treatment.
Ramachandran’s relatives lodged a complaint at the hospital on Wednesday, 31 December morning, alleging that contaminated water used for dialysis caused a fatal infection.
The allegation intensified after Ramesh Chennithala MLA brought the matter to the attention of Health Minister Veena George, prompting the Health Department to order an investigation.
Following the complaint, an 11-member expert team led by the District Medical Officer (DMO), including the Deputy DMO, inspected the dialysis unit for over four-and-a-half hours.
Water samples were collected and tested, and officials contacted all 48 patients who had undergone dialysis at the unit since Monday to assess their health condition.
According to officials, none of them reported any symptoms. The expert team initially assessed that the allegations were baseless and that there was no lapse on the part of the hospital.
However, Health Minister Veena George has sought a detailed report, and an additional expert team from Thiruvananthapuram is scheduled to reach Harippad on Thursday, 1 January for a more comprehensive probe.
In the wake of the controversy, the dialysis unit at Harippad government Hospital has been shut for 15 days.
The 58 patients who were receiving regular dialysis there have been shifted to other government hospitals, primarily Mavelikkara governmentHospital.
Dialysis procedures at Harippad were completely halted from Wednesday afternoon, and hospital staff attached to the unit have been temporarily transferred.
Municipal Chairperson Vrinda S. Kumar, along with Ramachandran’s relatives, visited the hospital and held discussions with the superintendent, following which the DMO was informed. At the same time, doctors had recommended a postmortem examination in Ramachandran’s case to ascertain the exact cause of death. However, the family reportedly declined consent.
Congress MP KC Venugopal demanded a comprehensive and independent investigation into the incident.
In letters to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, he called for scrutiny of medicines, dialysis equipment, staff qualifications, and adherence to treatment protocols.
“The deaths of dialysis patients are extremely serious and point to possible systemic failures. Only a transparent probe can restore public confidence,” he said.
(Edited by Sumavarsha with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
