RCC orders internal investigation after allegations of medical negligence

The parents of a nine-month-old infant, who is being treated for leukemia at the Regional Cancer Center (RCC) here, have alleged medical negligence and alleged that lapses in treatment have left their child on ventilator. According to RCC sources, the Kollam-based couple’s young son was being treated there for acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AML-M7), a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukemia that is generally associated with a worse prognosis than most other forms of AML.

Hospital sources said that although the infant had an advanced stage of the disease, he showed some initial improvement after chemotherapy. But apparently it was short-lived.

However, the parents claimed that the site where the cannula was placed on the child’s left arm (which was later removed) became infected and that the infection was unintentional, resulting in the child’s condition deteriorating. They claimed that it was not because of the child’s condition per se, but because of carelessness in dealing with an “infection” in the arm that the child ended up on a ventilator.

The RCC authorities clarified that this was not true and that the surgeon looked at an “infected site” which was in all likelihood a manifestation of leukemia outside the bone marrow (infiltrating the skin, something strongly associated with AML) as the child’s condition worsened.

As the child’s parents registered formal complaints with the Minister of Health and the Director of the RCC, the RCC launched an internal investigation into the case.

A senior RCC official said that every single procedure was documented in the hospital and that RCC had nothing to hide. The pathology report of the skin sample was awaited before the completion of the investigation report, which would be submitted to the Minister of Health.

The RCC said it also welcomes an external inquiry if the government deems it necessary. The child remains on a ventilator in serious condition.

Published – 30 Oct 2026 19:47 IST