TV
Tension prevailed at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar following the death of a one-year-old child as the family members of the deceased alleged medical negligence and administration of wrong medication.
The family from Salia Sahi had rushed the child to the hospital at around 3:00 am today after his condition deteriorated. According to the family, the doctor on duty prescribed treatment which allegedly led to the child’s death.
The child’s mother alleged, “We had first brought our son for treatment on Sunday afternoon. The doctor advised us to do an echocardiogram on Monday for proper diagnosis. Later, when his health worsened, we rushed to the hospital again. The doctor on duty was asleep and came after a long delay. When we requested admission, we were told there were no beds available and to come on Monday afternoon.”
She further said, “We showed the earlier reports to the doctor, and based on those, we were prescribed medication through inhalation that was to be given three times with a 20-minute gap. After the first dose, his throat sounded unusual. Even after the complete dosage, his condition did not improve, so another medicine was prescribed. As soon as we started administering that, he developed hiccups. We rushed him back to the doctor, but he died on the way.”
She alleged that doctors in the morning shift blamed her for giving the medicine incorrectly, while another doctor claimed the prescribed medicine should not have been given at all.
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“My child’s care was neglected. I want the doctor suspended and arrested,” she said.
The child’s grandfather said, “My grandson had trouble breathing and suffered from cold and fever. This is medical negligence. If the hospital lacked resources, they should have referred us elsewhere.”
The hospital director has reportedly ordered a detailed inquiry. No official statement has yet been issued by hospital authorities.
The child’s death triggered massive unrest with scores of locals storming into the Capital hospital and staging a road blockade. The road connecting to the Bhubaneswar airport was blocked.
Later, Odisha Chief Minister announced Rs 4 lakh in assistance for the deceased’s family and expressed deep grief, offering condolences to the bereaved relatives
Authorities Respond
Dr Leena Das, Head of Paediatrics Department, Capital Hospital, said, "The doctor-in-charge had advised nebulisation to be administered thrice at intervals of 20 minutes. After the child’s condition improved, Amoxicillin syrup was prescribed. The parents then took the child downstairs and administered the medicine. We suspect that the parents might have given some water, which probably entered his windpipe, which could have caused his condition to deteriorate. They immediately rushed him back upstairs, and the attending doctor made several attempts to revive him. She intubated the child and even performed CPR. However, we cannot confirm the exact cause of death; only a post-mortem can determine that.”
Refuting the allegations, Director of Health Services, Amarendra Mohanty said, "The patient suffered from cough and cold and came to the hospital for treatment. The doctor had advised an X-ray and an Echocardiogram. After reviewing all the prescriptions, we have found that no wrong medication was prescribed. However, the cause behind the patient's death can only be established after a post-mortem. We are conducting an impartial investigation into the matter."
