Hospital's Unwavering Support: The Battle to Keep Tito Alive Against Nipah Virus
For more than 788 days, Lizy and T C Thomas have maintained a constant vigil by the bedside of their 26-year-old son, Tito Thomas, in Kozhikode. Their world was shattered in December 2023 when Tito, a nurse who had just begun his career nine months earlier, slipped into a vegetative state following a relapse of the deadly Nipah virus. What has sustained them through this unimaginable ordeal is not just hope, but the extraordinary commitment of the hospital where Tito worked.
A Hospital That Considers Him Family
IQRAA International Hospital and Research Centre, operated by the century-old JDT Islam Orphanage in Kozhikode, has shouldered the entire burden of Tito's medical treatment since his illness began. "They consider him one of their own," says Thomas, expressing profound gratitude for an institution that has spent approximately Rs 1 crore on his son's care without hesitation.
Dr P C Anver, Executive Director of IQRAA Hospital and president of the JDT Islam management committee, explains their philosophy: "Our hospital is run by an NGO and we have a commitment to society. If we look at the cost, around Rs 1 crore has already been spent. But we do not put a price on human life. Our job is to save lives."
In November 2025, after Tito had been hospitalized for nearly a year, the hospital went a step further by arranging a rented house nearby for the Thomas family. This thoughtful gesture ensures that Tito's daily care continues uninterrupted while providing some relief from the hospital environment.
A Rare and Devastating Medical Case
Dr Shihabudheen P from IQRAA Hospital's critical care department reveals that Tito has been diagnosed with late-onset Nipah encephalitis, marking the first such reported case in India. While Malaysia has documented three to four similar cases, Tito's situation represents a medical rarity in the country.
Notably, Tito was also the first Nipah patient in India to receive monoclonal antibodies, which were sourced from Australia with support from the Kerala government in 2023. Despite these advanced interventions, Tito has not regained cognitive functions, leaving his parents to find solace in simply having their son alive.
The Tragic Journey from Hope to Heartbreak
The Thomas family, originally from Karmai in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, celebrated when Tito joined IQRAA Hospital as a staff nurse in March 2023 after completing his nursing degree. For parents who had struggled as marginal farmers, this represented a brighter future. Their elder son Shijo works in Hyderabad, and Tito's employment seemed to promise stability.
Tragedy struck just four months later in mid-August 2023 when Tito was exposed to the Nipah virus while attending to a patient. Following the patient's death, Tito and other healthcare workers underwent quarantine. Although he initially tested positive and received treatment, a subsequent negative test allowed him to return home to Karnataka in December 2023.
The relief was short-lived. Days after resuming duty, Tito developed a severe headache and, on December 8, 2023, slipped into the vegetative state where he remains today. "Since then, the hospital has been looking after Tito, despite him being in their service for only a few months," Thomas acknowledges with deep appreciation.
Comprehensive Care Beyond Hospital Walls
The hospital's support extends far beyond financial assistance. Every morning, head nurse Veena Jose calls the family to check on Tito's condition and needs. Doctors conduct weekly visits, while a physiotherapist attends three times weekly. The hospital even provided a hospital bed for their rented home, located just a ten-minute drive from the medical facility.
Veena, who has cared for Tito for two years, emphasizes the collective commitment: "All of us staffers from the ward where he was admitted continue to attend to him." This continuity of care reflects the deep personal connection the hospital staff maintains with their former colleague.
Government Support and Unfulfilled Promises
The Kerala government has demonstrated remarkable compassion by allocating Rs 17 lakh from the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund to the Thomas family, despite them not being state residents. However, their appeals to the Congress government in Karnataka have yielded no tangible assistance, despite promises from Congress leaders in Kerala who visited Tito in the hospital.
The parents consciously avoid dwelling on these political disappointments, choosing instead to maintain a positive outlook. They listen to stories of miraculous survivals and remember Tito's dream of building them a house—a project for which they laid the foundation stone after he secured his job.
Small Signs and Sustaining Faith
In Tito's room, a television remains constantly tuned to cricket channels, broadcasting the sport the 26-year-old loved. "If someone comes close, tears well up and stream from his eyes," Lizy observes. This subtle emotional response represents the only positive change since that fateful December day.
Dr Anver reflects on their ongoing commitment: "Tito may not be able to lead a fully fruitful life. Yet, his parents find relief in having their son alive... We are only doing our duty—guided by the thought that at the end of the day, we must answer to God."
As another Nipah virus scare from West Bengal subsides, the Thomas family continues their vigil, sustained by faith, hope, and the extraordinary support of a hospital that refuses to give up on one of their own.
