Civil Hospital patient found abandoned on roadside in Mansa succumbs; probe on

Interestingly on November 22, Dr Baljit Kaur , the officiating senior medical officer had issued a letter to the staff of the Mansa civil hospital stating that emergency medical officers shouldn’t admit any patient without an attendant. The letter reads, “Unknown patients who are admitted without any attendant are normally shifted to wards and later they create a lot of problem for other patients. Hence, it is an advise to the EMOs not to admit such patients and in case they do so, they themselves will be responsible for such patients.”

The letter had drawn sharp criticism from the people and they questioned where will such patients go now.

Meanwhile, another patient, Rinku Singh, 42, was also found abandoned near the city cemetery. “Rinku was brought to the hospital on October 14 by some ambulance driver while Karan was brought on November 13,” Dr Rai said.

“During treatment, the patient told that his name was Karan. He had been brought to the hospital due to a breathing issue,” the doctor added. “Medical records say he was suffering from TB.”

According to Dr Rai, on Friday morning, the surviving patient “identified himself as Rinku Singh, son of Rana Singh and said that he belongs to Narwana Sangh in Gujarat. We will be informing the state police so that they can join the Gujarat Police to find out the details.”

Dr Rai said, “Rinku only has an ortho problem, whereas the deceased had TB.”

Meanwhile, Kaka Singh, a private ambulance driver, has alleged that he was paid Rs 400 by a doctor and a staff nurse for abandoning the patients, as per which he did so.

Nirbhai Singh alias Babbi, another private ambulance driver, told The Indian Express that he had been taking care of the two patients. “I didn’t bring them to the hospital. The deceased used to speak in Punjabi language and used to tell that he originally hailed from Gujarat but for the past few years has been in Punjab. He used to sell datun on roadside and when he got sick, someone dropped him at the hospital.”

“Private ambulance drivers have formed a welfare society through which we take care of needy patients. So I used to take care of this patient as he was lying unattended in the hospital… However it is sad to know that they abandoned the patients,” he said.

The hospital staff had also reportedly referred the two to Rajindra Medical College and Hospital in Patiala, but they were sent back saying that their condition could be managed at the district hospital.

“A three-member committee of Dr Jeewan Singh, Dr Kamaldeep Singh and Dr Richa Goyal will submit their report on the matter at the earliest and due action will be taken against the guilty,” Dr Rai added.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (Mansa) Nanak Singh said, “The civil surgeon is inquiring into the case at present.”

RTI activist and Mansa resident Manik Goyal has sought an impartial probe into the incident. “This is indeed a shocking incident that shows the callous state of affairs in the Health Department. An impartial probe is needed in this matter,” he said. Meanwhile, city resident Kuldeep Singh Moosa has submitted a complaint to the SSP in Mansa demanding police action against the medical staff of the hospital. Anil Johny, former senior vice-president of the Mansa Nagar council said, “I have submitted a copy to Health Secretary Ajoy Sharma and Director of Health Services Dr Adarshpal Kaur in Chandigarh for a thorough inquiry.”

When asked, Dr Adarashpal Kaur, director health services, Punjab, said, “An inquiry has been marked into the entire incident. A two-member team will be reaching Mansa on Saturday and they will thoroughly investigate the matter. They will also question the officiating SMO on her letter to know what prompted it. Anyone found guilty will not be spared at all.”

Information revealed that earlier the officiating civil surgeon had former a three-member committee to inquire into the matter. They will submit the report to the two-member committee who will now probe the matter.