Tensions Erupt at Medinipur Hospital After Allegations of Declaring Living Patient Dead

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, West Medinipur, November 18, 2024 : Extreme tensions unfolded at Medinipur Medical College Hospital on Sunday night following serious allegations that a living patient had been wrongly declared dead by hospital staff. The incident involved an 18-year-old teenager, identified as V. Sai, who had drowned in the Kangsabati river while bathing with friends. After being rescued unconscious and brought to the hospital, doctors declared him dead. However, the family claims the declaration was made without a thorough examination, leading to accusations of gross negligence.

According to reports, V. Sai, a resident of Ward No. 5 in Kharagpur, was pulled from the Kangsabati river by locals around Sunday afternoon after he and his friends got into trouble while bathing. The teenager was rushed to Medinipur Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead by the emergency doctors, and a death sticker was placed on his body.

However, the family alleges that no proper assessment was made before the decision. They claim that, after being told their son was dead, they attempted to revive him by blowing air into his mouth and pressing his chest. To their shock, the teenager started vomiting water and began to breathe. Following this, the family requested oxygen support, and efforts were made to administer it. Despite these attempts, the teenager ultimately passed away.

In the wake of the tragic incident, the family is accusing the doctors of negligence. They allege that despite repeated requests, no senior doctor was called to attend to the situation, and the entire examination was conducted by junior doctors. The relatives claim that the absence of experienced medical professionals and the delay in providing adequate care contributed directly to the teenager's death.

Local Kharagpur Councilor Fida Hossain voiced his concerns over the incident, calling it a clear case of medical negligence. "The teenager died due to the negligence of the doctors. I will be filing complaints with the District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police, and even the Chief Minister about this incident," Hossain said.

In response to the allegations, Hospital Superintendent Dr. Jayant Raut provided a different perspective. He suggested that the teenager's muscles may have contracted due to water coming out of his mouth, leading the family to believe he was alive. Dr. Raut stated, “The patient was brought in already dead, but the muscle contractions seen by the family might have caused them to think he was alive.”

As tensions escalated, a large police force was deployed to the hospital to manage the situation, and they were able to bring the unrest under control after several hours. The hospital authorities have now confirmed that an investigation is underway, taking into account the family's demands for clarity.

This incident has reignited concerns about the quality of medical care at Medinipur Medical College Hospital, particularly the absence of senior doctors during critical situations. The case also raises troubling questions about whether proper protocols were followed in determining the teenager’s condition.

The ongoing investigation will likely shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the alleged negligence, as the family seeks accountability and justice for their loss.