Bhubaneswar: Tension ran high at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar on Monday over the death of a one-year-old boy with grieving parents alleging medical negligence and the administration of wrong medication.
The deceased was identified as Ayushman Sahu, a resident of Salia Sahi slum here.
According to sources, the child was brought to the state-run health facility on Sunday with symptoms of cold and fever. A doctor advised them to conduct an echocardiogram on Monday for proper diagnosis. However, the boy’s condition worsened at night and he was rushed back to the hospital at 3 am when he was administered a nebulizer.
The family members claimed that the treatment prescribed by the doctor on duty led to his death. The mother of the deceased boy further alleged that the doctor was asleep when they reached the hospital and attended to him after a long delay. She further stated that the hospital denied him admission for lack of beds. “My child’s care was neglected. I want the doctor suspended and arrested,” she added.
The boy’s death sparked massive unrest as scores of people stormed the hospital premises demanding action against the treating doctor. The protesters also blocked the road leading to the airport, causing major inconvenience to commuters. The blockade was lifted after police and hospital authorities intervened.
Head of Paediatrics Department, Capital Hospital, Dr Leena Das, said, “The doctor-in-charge had advised for administering nebuliser. After the child’s condition improved, Amoxicillin syrup was prescribed. The parents then took the child downstairs and gave him the medicine. We suspect that the child was given some water, which probably entered his windpipe. They immediately rushed him back and the attending doctor made several attempts to revive him. She intubated the child and even performed CPR.”
Director of Health Services, Amarendra Mohanty, also refuted the wrong medication allegation. “After reviewing all the prescriptions, we have found that no wrong medication was prescribed. However, the cause behind the patient’s death can only be established after a post-mortem examination. We are conducting an impartial investigation into the matter,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the family on compassionate grounds.
