Fresh allegations of bribery emerged in an incident in which Sanoop, a 36-year-old tiler from Thrikkur, lost his sight following an alleged medical error at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur, in 2023.
His family now claims they were forced to pay a doctor at another government hospital to secure the treatment and signatures needed for the free drugs.
According to his mother Valsala, the family approached Thrissur General Hospital after his condition worsened, but the doctor allegedly did not examine Sanoop for three days. She said patients and nurses told them the doctor would not come without payment. Desperate, she visited the doctor’s private clinic in Thrissur and paid ₹1,500, after which he examined Sanoop the next day.
Sanoop initially sought treatment for knee pain in July 2023 at the Medical College Hospital. The family claims the injection led to a severe infection that spread throughout his body and eventually caused him to lose his sight completely.
The case drew political attention and Congress leader Anil Akkara visited the family at their Thrikkur home and assured full support. As an immediate measure, he announced that AI smart glasses, which cost around ₹40,000 and require specialized training, will be provided to help Sanoop navigate through real-time object detection.
Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a sit-in outside the medical school superintendent’s office, demanding strict action against the doctors responsible for the incident and the release of the doctor accused of accepting bribes. The party also asked for immediate compensation and permanent financial assistance for Sanoop’s treatment and livelihood.
Additionally, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Secretary and Hospital Development Committee member Rajendran Arangath has filed a complaint with the Kerala State Human Rights Commission seeking immediate compensation and action against those allegedly responsible for the medical negligence.
Published – 25 Feb 2026 21:19 IST
