2 doctors suspended over patient's death due to alleged delay in transfer

Thane: Holding two doctors responsible for the death of a 30-year-old patient following a delay in transferring him to another facility, the Maharashtra Health Department suspended the head and controlling officer of Ulhasnagar Central Hospital and the surgeon on duty for violating the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules of 1979. 

The two doctors have been accused of failing to arrange an alternative ambulance service for the patient, whose death was caused by the delay in transferring him to a private facility after the government ambulance service also arrived at the hospital late. 

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According to a media report in the HT, the district surgeon of the Ulhasnagar Central Hospital and the surgeon on duty were served their suspension orders on Thursday for allegedly violating the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules of 1979.

Before their suspension, the two doctors were issued a show cause notice, asking them to explain why they failed to arrange an ambulance when the patient's family couldn't secure one through 108 (Emergency Ambulance Service) and had to rely on private transport, during which the patient died.

In response to the show cause notice, the district surgeon has denied any negligence, stating that he fulfilled his duties and will challenge his suspension in the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT). Further, he claimed that the doctor on duty had referred the patient on January 23, but an 108 ambulance was delayed by two hours. He claimed he was not informed and could have arranged an alternative if alerted.

The case resolved around the treatment and referral of Rahul Indate, a resident of Harshvardhan Nagar, who was admitted to the hospital on the night of January 22 with acute pancreatitis, splenic vein thrombosis, and ascites. When his condition worsened, the doctors reportedly advised an immediate transfer to a private facility.

However, despite attempts to arrange an ambulance through the government-run 108 emergency service, none arrived in time. Indate’s family eventually attempted to transport him in their own vehicle, but he died before reaching the private hospital on January 23, reports HT.

Following his death, Social activist Shivaji Ragde demanded action against the doctors concerned after the incident received outrage from local residents who slammed the Ulhasnagar Central Hospital for failing to help transfer Indate to a private facility, despite his emergency status and questioned the emergency ambulance service of the government, which also failed to arrive on time. 

The action against the doctors in this regard came nearly a month later after MLA Rais Shaikh raised the issue in the legislative assembly during pre-budget session This led to an inquiry revealing alleged lapses in patient care, including delays in ambulance availability and questions over the need for referral to a private facility despite the hospital having essential facilities such as an ICU.

Taking note of the inquiry report, the state health department ordered the suspension of these two doctors from the hospital. According to the suspension order, the surgeon has been prohibited from leaving his headquarters until further notice and is also banned from taking any private employment during the suspension period.

The order issued in this regard on Thursday mentioned, "As the head and controlling officer of the Central Hospital, Ulhasnagar-3, the district surgeon failed to exercise due diligence in treating patient Rahul Indate, who was admitted on January 22, 2025. Additionally, the patient was not provided an (alternative) ambulance for referral services on time, leading to his death on January 23, 2025. This negligence in duty constitutes a violation of Rule 3 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979."

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