After being turned down by three hospitals and later allegedly facing medical negligence in civic-run KEM hospital, scrap dealer Ghanshyam Gupta (48) bled to death on Tuesday morning. His daughter, Priyanka Gupta, sent a written complaint to the dean of the hospital, following which an inquiry was ordered by the administration. Gupta, a Bhiwandi resident, met with an accident on Monday after a tanker rammed into his cycle, while he was on his way to collect scrap. While he sustained two fractures in his left leg, his family claimed that his right leg was also severely injured. “We rushed him to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where there were no doctors to attend to him due to Gudi Padwa celebrations. Then we took him to a private hospital, Good Nursing Home, in Bhiwandi, where we were again refused admission due to non-availability of doctors,” said Sanjay Pandey, Ghanshyam’s friend. Ghanshyam was finally admitted to Param Hospital, Thane, where doctors bandaged his legs and asked for Rs 10-12 lakh for surgery. “It was not possible for us to arrange such a large sum. We had no option, but to transfer him to a civic-run hospital in the city,” Pandey said. By the time Ghanshyam was admitted to Parel-based KEM Hospital at 11.30 pm on Monday, he had already lost a lot of blood. However, the complaint claims, instead of operating upon him immediately, two doctors from the orthopaedic and surgery departments argued with each other on who should attend to Ghanshyam, which worsened his condition. “By 5 am, he had lost a lot of blood and succumbed to his injuries. If the doctors had been prompt, he could have been saved,” Pandey added. The complaint filed by Ghanshyam’s daughter said, “Dr Gokul Bandagi from the orthopaedic department said he was not my relative, so why should I go and see him. Dr Avinash Pade argued with Bandagi that the latter should attend to the patient.” Dr A K Gwalani, head of surgery department at KEM hospital, said, “It is unacceptable if the doctor said what the family has alleged. A departmental inquiry has been marked, and we will take necessary action if they are found guilty.” According to Gwalani, Ghanshyam was initially referred to the hospital’s general surgery ward and later to the orthopaedic ward. “It was found that the patient might have abnormal arterial circulation in his leg. For this, a test was required in the radiology department to check if arterial pulsation was normal,” Gwalani said. “Crucial time was lost in taking Ghanshyam from one department to another for tests,” said Gwalani. The hospital is now awaiting the post mortem report. Priyanka said, “Despite being aware that my father was critical, the doctors kept arguing about who would attend to him. Though my father was conscious initially, he fainted after he lost a lot of blood.” mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com
