My husband died as govt hospital staff delayed treatment for bribe, alleges Odisha woman

The wife of a patient, who died under treatment at Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), has alleged that her husband died due to neglect in dialysis because she delayed paying up bribe to the technician.

These serious allegations have been made by one Basanti Ray from MV 79 village under Kalimela block in the district whose husband, Tapan Ray was admitted to the hospital for kidney ailments two months back.

As per her allegations, the on-duty technician, Sujay Giri asked her to pay Rs 5,000 for a dialysis prescribed by the doctor for Tapan. Though she paid up the money through a UPI app, she said it was delayed due to some reasons, after which Tapan died.

She alleged the technician delayed her husband’s dialysis because she paid the bribe late, resulting in the death of Tapan.

“My husband's health was not good. I took him to Berhampur for treatment. He received good treatment there and recovered. After coming here for dialysis, I was told to pay Rs 5000 for the test. I requested them to take Rs 4000 and treat my husband but they refused. Later, my daughter paid Rs 5000 through a UPI transaction and I have the proof," said Basanti.

She demanded strict action against the technician whom she held responsible for her husband’s death.

Meanwhile, the on-duty doctor, Jay Rajan refuted the allegations and said that Tapan died because his health deteriorated lately and he was seriously ill.

"The patient was referred from the critical care unit. His health condition was unstable. Government pays for treatment; so, we never ask money from the patient," he claimed.