• A senior resident doctor at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital has been suspended after maggots were found in a patient's surgical wound following orthopaedic surgery.
• Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said an inquiry committee found lapses in patient care, including findings that the patient's wound dressing had remained unchanged for five consecutive days.
• The Medical College Principal has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation into how the wound became infested.
A senior resident doctor at Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Thiruvananthapuram, has been suspended after an inquiry found lapses in patient care following the discovery of maggots in a patient's surgical wound.
Speaking in the Kerala Assembly on June 4, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said an expert committee identified deficiencies in wound management and monitoring, prompting disciplinary action against the treating doctor.
The patient, Rajendra Prasad, a 61-year-old resident of Parippally in Kollam district, was admitted after sustaining severe leg injuries in a motorcycle accident on May 28. He underwent orthopaedic surgery that involved the insertion of a metal rod and remained in intensive care before being transferred to a general ward, where relatives later reported finding maggots in the wound.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan told the Assembly that the patient's relatives noticed a foul smell from the injured leg after Rajendra Prasad was shifted from the intensive care unit to a general ward. On examining the wound, they reported finding maggots and alleged that hospital staff did not respond promptly to their concerns.
The family further alleged that the wound dressing had not been changed regularly during the post-operative period.
Following the incident, the Health Department sought an inquiry report within 48 hours to determine how the wound became infested.
A four-member committee comprising senior officials of Government Medical College Hospital examined the incident and found lapses in patient care and post-operative wound care. Speaking in the Kerala Assembly, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said the inquiry identified shortcomings in monitoring the patient's condition after surgery.
According to the inquiry, the patient's wound dressing had not been changed for five consecutive days.
Following the findings, senior resident Dr. Abhijeet was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings, and the Medical College Principal was directed to conduct a detailed investigation into how the wound became infested.
Muraleedharan said the action was initiated despite the absence of a written complaint from the patient's family, after reports of the incident triggered the inquiry.
Maggot infestation of living tissue, known medically as myiasis, occurs when flies lay eggs in open wounds or damaged skin.1
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), maintaining wound hygiene, timely dressing changes, and regular monitoring are important components of wound care and infection prevention.2
The incident at Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, has drawn attention to the importance of post-operative wound management, particularly in patients recovering from serious orthopaedic injuries. Surgical wounds typically require regular assessment to identify signs of infection, delayed healing, or other complications that may require medical intervention.2
The incident has raised questions about patient monitoring and accountability at one of Kerala's largest government hospitals.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan told the Assembly that action would be taken against healthcare personnel found responsible for lapses in patient care, adding that complaints of negligence would continue to be investigated.
While a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the wound infestation remains underway, the findings are expected to guide further administrative action at Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
Speaking in the Kerala Assembly, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said that when allegations of medical negligence arise, a detailed inquiry should be conducted and action taken against those responsible. "That is the government's responsibility," he said while defending the state's approach to accountability in public healthcare.
References:
1. World Health Organization. “Myiasis.” Accessed June 5, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/myiasis
2. World Health Organization. “Integrated Management for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care: Infection Prevention and Wound Management.” Accessed June 5, 2026. https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/clinical-services-and-systems/surgical-care
(Rh/TP/MSM)
