The family of a man who died at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) recently has alleged that the reason behind the death was being concealed. While the hospital authorities had stated that he had died from liver failure, the family alleged that he died of H1N1. This is the second such complaint in the past one week.

In a petition submitted online to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell, M. Anand Babu of Sowripalayam, said that his cousin, a 54-year-old man residing at Irugur, was admitted to CMCH on April 1 with breathing difficulties.

While he was initially treated in the general ward, he was shifted to the H1N1 ward after diagnostic tests confirmed he was positive for this influenza. He died on April 8.

Following this, the petition states, the hospital had stated in the case sheet that the cause of death was liver failure. However, health officials had sprayed disinfectants in their residences and the locality besides administering prophylactic treatment the relatives and those who came in contact with the person.

When contacted, Hospital Dean A. Edwin Joe said that the patient might have died due to co-morbid conditions. He said that he would have the case sheet examined and the reason ascertained soon.