Blaming technician,union protests worker’s death

The death of a migrant worker at the Ludhiana civil hospital allegedly due to negligence on the part of a lab technician has triggered protests by the Karkhana Mazdoor union. Akasho Devi,suspected to be suffering from dengue,was brought to the hospital in critical condition and low blood platelet count. The lab technician allegedly refused to perform tests while the patient was in bed despite repeated messages by the medical officer. This forced relatives to carry the patient along with the IV fluid to get her blood group matched and on the way back,Devi allegedly collapsed and died of cardiac arrest.

Medical officer on duty Dr Balwinder Kumar said: “ The patient came from a private nursing home and we started all relevant treatment,protein rich platelet(PRP) were to be transfused to the patient but before that her blood group was to be tested. The patient was in bad shape,so the lab technician was told to come and perform tests on bed,but he refused to come despite my messages sent 4 times. I am not aware when the attendants of patient took her to get the tests done”.

Health minister Satpal Gosain has taken note of the incident and has urged the Civil surgeon to conduct an inquiry. Lakhwinder Singh,Convenor of the Karkhana mazdoor union said: “We have not yet been able to search the house of patient,but such episodes should not be repeated so,we submitted memorandum to the civil surgeon. We demand that due compensation should be given to the patient’s family and the guilty should be punished.” Civil Surgeon Dr H S Bali confirmed receiving the memorandum and said: “ The tests should have been done on bed and we will take action after the inquiry. “