Kerala man’s death sparks allegations of surgery on wrong kidney at MCH

Kozhikode

Family members of a 45-year-old man from Vanimel in Kozhikode district, who died at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, on Thursday morning, have accused the hospital staff of medical negligence.

According to the family members, Rijith was admitted to the Department of Urology at the hospital for a keyhole surgery to remove kidney stones in August 2025. However, they alleged that instead of performing the procedure on the left kidney, the surgery was carried out on the right kidney. His condition reportedly worsened after this and there was a wound on his body. Despite this, he was reportedly discharged from the hospital. Rijith was admitted again after a few weeks and another surgery was performed on the left kidney, the family members claimed. Thereafter, the doctors told them during subsequent consultations that the wounds would heal on their own if he takes rest at home.

Rijith was admitted to the hospital again on May 18 this year after no improvement was noticed in his condition. He was shifted to the intensive care unit on May 30 after infection was detected in his lungs and kidneys. Rijith was on ventilator support and he passed away on Thursday. His wife Shijila had filed a complaint with the hospital superintendent on May 31 and his brother Rijilesh had filed a complaint with the police on June 1.

K.P. Sunil Kumar, Deputy Superintendent at the hospital, told The Hindu that the reports from the Departments of Urology and General Medicine would be submitted to the principal, who would take a final decision on whether further investigation was required into the allegations.