RAUTAHAT, Feb 25: A serious incident of blame game among government and private hospitals while handling a medical emergency case has come to light after a young man died during treatment in Gaur, Rautahat.
It has been revealed that Provincial Hospital Gaur sent a patient, who should have been referred to Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital to a private hospital, for treatment saying that it could not provide the required treatment at the provincial hospital. The patient died soon after surgery at the private hospital. The doctors involved as well as the hospital operator have been absconding after the incident.
Eighteen-year-old Lalu Adhikari of Gaur Municipality-3 was taken to the Provincial Hospital in Gaur, the district headquarters, for treatment on Saturday evening by his relatives after he complained of stomach pain. The hospital's medical officer, Dr. Ghanshyam Thakur, said after initial tests that Adhikari's intestine had ruptured.
Since Provincial Hospital Gaur does not have facilities for intestinal surgery, Dr Thakur should have sent the patient to Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital in Birgunj. However, he did not do so and referred the patient to Gaur Central Hospital, a private hospital in Gaur.
Fire breaks out at Gaur clothing store, 3 killed, 3 others inju...
The patient was admitted to Gaur Central Hospital at around 8 pm. A team led by Dr. Pankaj Sah at the private hospital performed the surgery. However, after some time, the doctors advised the relatives to take the patient elsewhere.
As the patient's condition became more serious, the relatives again called Dr. Ghanshyam Thakur of the Provincial Hospital. He suggested taking the patient to the National Medical College in Birgunj in an ambulance with oxygen.
Adhikari, who was taken to the hospital at around 11 pm, was pronounced dead by the doctors.
Relatives demand investigation, hospital operator absconding
After the patient's death, Dr. Firoz Anjum and Dr. Pankaj Sah of Gaur Central Hospital have been out of contact with the family of the deceased. The deceased’s uncle Devendra Adhikari has demanded an investigation and action against the culprits, claiming that there was serious negligence in the operation. They also suspect the provincial hospital of referring the patient to the private hospital for commission.
Medical Superintendent of the Provincial Hospital Dr. Murari Thakur told Republica that sending the patient to a private hospital when the hospital should have referred him to Narayani Sub-Regional Hospital was a serious negligence.
Dr. Firoz Anjum is accused of performing major surgeries without proper experience or expertise and causing the patient's death. Locals are outraged that the young man's death was caused by the negligence of an incompetent doctor.
With the death of the patient and the disappearance of the doctors, serious concerns have been raised about the collusion and negligence taking place in Gaur's health institutions.
