COVID-19 Patient’s Family In Odisha’s Berhampur Cries Negligence; Lodges Police Complaint

Berhampur: Family members of a COVID-19 deceased have accused the authorities of the Tata COVID Hospital at Sitalapalli in Ganjam district of keeping them in dark about his death.

The deceased was a resident of Ganapati Nagar in Berhampur.

The family alleged that they were informed about his demise after four days. While he died on July 24, they got the news only on July 28.

“We were speaking to him till July 24 noon and he was critical. Later, we could not contact him. Yesterday, the concerned hospital authorities called over the phone and informed us about his death since July 24,” informed his brother-in-law.

They have lodged a complaint at Bada Bazaar police station, alleging negligence by the hospital authority.

In a clarification, the hospital authorities said that the COVID-19 suspect was received in a critical condition on July 19 6 pm. He, however, died while undergoing treatment on July 24. Despite repeated attempts, they could not contact his family on the phone number given to them. Following which, they requested the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) and BDO Aska on July 26 to trace the family members to hand over the body in accordance with COVID-19 protocol. “The body was preserved in the mortuary. On receiving the correct phone number, the family members were informed,” it added.