Family accuses hospital doctor Noida ESIC of negligence after patient dies

Tension prevailed at Noida’s ESIC Hospital in Sector 24 on Friday morning after the death of a 17-year-old boy led to allegations of medical negligence and the family had an alleged altercation with one of the doctors there, police said.

The incident caused a brief disruption to the hospital’s outpatient services and normal operations were restored within an hour, hospital authorities said.

Police have denied reports that the doctor was physically assaulted by the boy’s family and said the matter was under investigation. No case has been registered in this case yet, police said.

According to district health department officials, the boy was admitted to the hospital’s emergency department late Thursday night with complaints of shortness of breath. He succumbed during treatment Friday morning, health officials said.

The deceased’s family subsequently accused the treating doctor of negligence, claiming that the death could have been prevented if the patient had received proper care.

But hospital authorities have denied this allegation. They said an emergency room physician attended to the patient and administered CPR in an attempt to stabilize the patient, but failed.

“The patient was listed in critical condition with symptoms of shortness of breath and vomiting. His oxygen levels were dangerously low; his SpO2 was below 50, and his blood pressure was also unstable at 76/30. Despite our efforts and plans to shift him to a higher facility, he collapsed during treatment,” said Dr Sona Bedi, Deputy Medical Superintendent, ESIC.

“The family did not provide proper information about themselves or even the patient’s medical history. Following his death, the family members, accompanied by relatives, confronted and assaulted the attending doctor outside the hospital premises on Friday morning as the doctor was leaving after completing his shift. The hospital has started filing a case against those involved in the attack on the doctor,” Bedi said.

Police have refuted claims that the doctor was assaulted.

“We have not found any evidence of a physical attack on the doctor as alleged. We’re told there was more of a heated argument than a physical attack. However, we are investigating the matter thoroughly to ensure that all aspects are addressed and appropriate action will be taken. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination,” said Arvind Kumar, station house officer, Sector 24.