Kerala Launches Probe After Two Dialysis Patients Die at Haripad Hospital
The unit is closed for 15 days pending full laboratory evaluation of water, machines, consumables.
Overview
- A Directorate of Health Services team began a detailed inquiry after multiple patients developed shivering and vomiting during sessions on December 29.
- Two long-term maintenance patients—Majeed, 53, and Ramachandran, 60—died within days after being referred to higher centers.
- Initial checks, including water and electrolyte samples and a technical review by a microbiologist and a biomedical safety engineer, reported no immediate adverse findings.
- Authorities ordered comprehensive microbiological and endotoxin testing and asked the Drugs Control department to analyze IV fluids and heparin, with dialysis machines slated for servicing again.
- Dialysis at Haripad is suspended for 15 days with patients reassigned to Mavelikara, as relatives allege negligence and political leaders call for a thorough probe.