Tension prevailed at the Kannur district hospital on Monday after Congress workers besieged the office of the hospital superintendent, alleging medical negligence in the treatment of Harith, 5, who died of suspected rabies on Saturday despite reportedly receiving vaccination.
The protesters accused the hospital authorities of refusing to admit the child and provide timely treatment after he was bitten by a stray dog on the face at Payyambalam on May 31.
The protesters staged a sit-in in front of the outpatient department of the hospital. The police arrested them later.
Meanwhile, the hospital superintendent refuted the allegations, saying that the child was given the required treatment and later referred to the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital.
The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) condemned the protest action, terming it unjustified and politically motivated.
In a joint statement, KGMOA president Dr. V.S. Jidhin and secretary Ranjith Mathew said that “facial dog bites carry a significantly higher risk of transmitting the virus directly to the brain, which is a globally recognised medical concern.”
“Blaming doctors and hospital staff without a medical basis is demoralising and dangerous. Such politically driven actions harm the morale of healthcare workers who continue to serve under challenging conditions,” the association said.
Harith was a kindergarten student and the only child of a couple from Tamil Nadu.
Published – June 30, 2025 10:36 pm IST
