Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan has sought a report from the authorities of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College following reports of maggot infestation in the leg of a patient who underwent surgery at the hospital a few days ago

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Muraleedharan said that a panel of specialist doctors had been constituted to investigate the incident.

The panel has been directed to submit its report within 48 hours, he said.

The minister said that the panel will comprise the principal of the medical college, its superintendent and the heads of the Orthopaedic and Surgical departments.

"They have been directed to submit a report within 48 hours, by Wednesday evening. They have been asked to examine how the maggot infestation occurred when the patient was in the ICU.

"Besides that, the hospital staff who misbehaved with the patient's family members will be sent for counselling," he said.

At the same time, he also said that the patient's family did not give an oral or written complaint regarding the issue to anyone.

"I learned about it via a news report at 11pm on Monday. In that, the patient's daughter has made serious allegations, including of bribe demands, against the entire medical college system.

"Let her inform the panel who all sought bribes. There will be stringent action in the matter, irrespective of who is responsible for it, so that such an incident never happens again. The orders were issued based on the news report," the minister said.

"If there is any fault on the part of the superintendent, action will be taken against him," he added.

Maggot infestation was reportedly found in the wound of a man, who had undergone surgery on his leg following a road accident, after he was shifted from the ICU to the general ward.

With regard to media reports of a patient dying after falling from the bed of the medical college, he said that the man was suffering from Wilson's disease and it had affected his brain and liver.

"Whether he died due to the fall from the bed or his disease can be confirmed only after the postmortem report comes. Further steps will be taken based on that. Whatever issues come to the government's attention, they will be looked into immediately," Muraleedharan said.