Muralidharan Pillai
Mayabunder, Sept 19: In a tragic incident, a 28 year old youth of Mayabunder died of alleged medical negligence at GB Pant Hospital on Thursday. Jai Kumar, son of Mr P Muthu, resident of Pokadera in North Andaman met with a road accident on the 12th of this month and was immediately shifted to Dr RP Hospital Mayabunder with minor head injuries. As the condition of the victim was not stable, the Medical Superintendent of Dr RP Hospital referred the patient to GB Pant Hospital for specialised care on Sept 15.
At G B Pant the patient died on Thursday and angry locals and relatives attending the funeral of the victim vented ire against the apathy of the GB Pant Hospital and Dr. R P Hospital Mayabunder towards ensuring proper healthcare services to the islanders.
“Despite several reports on medical negligence in the media, particularly Andaman Sheekha, the authorities in the Health Department appear to have no lessons from the incidents. Dr RP Hospital has been plagued with shortage of specialist doctors, paramedical and technicians for long; but there have been no efforts to plug the gaps in the healthcare system. After accident Dr. R P Hospital failed to diagnose internal injuries, which resulted in the death of the patient. There was also delay in referring the patient. Doctors failed miserably to attend the patient professionally with head injuries that cost him his life,” said some infuriated residents of Mayabunder.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Medical Superintendent of Dr RP Hospital, Mayabunder said that crucial posts like Gynaecologist, Paediatrician, Medical Specialist, Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Anaesthetist and ENT Specialist are lying vacant in the district hospital for long.
“Further, months after the transfer of Chief Medical Officer and two Medical Officers, their relievers are yet to report for duty in the hospital. Even doctors trained in Ultra Sonography are not available at the Hospital. Due to non-availability of the required resource pool, we are often forced to refer patients to GB Pant Hospital for proper medical attention,” the MS added.
