Covid patient ‘delayed’ emergency care, dies

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 21

A 50-year-old Covid-19 patient from the Darnu area of Dharamsala died after she was allegedly admitted late to the emergency ward of Dharamsala Zonal Hospital this morning.

Sources said that the patient complained of shortness of breath and was brought to the hospital by her family members today. Suspecting it to be a coronavirus case, the doctors in the emergency ward of the hospital did not admit her. Her blood sample was taken for the rapid antigen test and later her report came out to be Covid positive.

The aggrieved family members of the patient held a protest over the doctors’ refusal to admit the patient in the emergency ward. However, after they created a ruckus, the woman was admitted but she died soon.

Her family members alleged negligence on the part of the hospital authorities for the patient’s death. They took away the body without following the protocol.

Dr Deepali Thakur, Medical Superintendent of Dharamsala Zonal Hosptial, said that though no complaint had not been filed in the matter, an inquiry had been initiated. She added that the doctors, who were on duty in the emergency ward, had been asked to file a reply to the allegations being levelled against them that they did not admit the patient, who required emergency medical care. Action in the matter would be taken as per the finding of the inquiry, she said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr GD Gupta said that the matter was in his notice. The patient was admitted to the hospital after some delay.