Patient’s kin ‘beat up’ doctor and nurse, vandalise hospital over ambulance delay in Khordha

Tension erupted at Balipatna Community Health Centre (CHC) in Khordha district after the relatives of a patient allegedly assaulted a doctor and a nurse over the late arrival of an ambulance on Friday.

As per reports, Mahendra Jena was admitted to Balipatna Community Health Centre due to a respiratory problem and he was under treatment there. However, he was later referred to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar as his health condition deteriorated.

But the ambulance failed to reach in time following which there was a heated exchange between the concerned doctor and the relatives of the patients.

As per the allegation by the doctor, the relatives of the patient allegedly beat him and a nurse of the hospital. They also allegedly vandalised the hospital.

The hospital authorities have lodged a complaint at Balipatna police station in this regard. Balipatna police reached the hospital immediately and started an investigation into the incident.

“The relatives of the patient called me to check on the patient. When I came, they assaulted me and a nurse and vandalised the hospital. We are providing treatment to the patients by spending sleepless nights. It’s a matter of great sorrow and concern that we are treated like this and there is nobody to provide security to us,” said Dr BM Shankar Panda.

“Some relatives of the patient asked me why the ambulance was not coming in time. I told them to ask the control room. Subsequently, they lost their cool and in the process vandalised the hospital and assaulted us,” said the staff nurse on duty.