Duty doctors of 2 Govt hospitals booked after judge files complaint of negligence

Mysuru: Duty doctors of two government hospitals in Mysuru have been booked for denying treatment to a 12-year-old specially abled tribal girl suffering from severe breathing ailments. The patient passed away on October 31 and a complaint was lodged in this connection by a judge.

Initially, the patient was taken to a local hospital in Gonikoppal and later she had to be shifted around 88 kilometers away in Mysuru city on October 26. However, the doctors of Cheluvamba hospital, which is a government maternity and children hospital, and the nearby KR hospital in the city kept the patient waiting for more than six hours.

Although this incident took place on the interim of October 26 night, the Judge filed the FIR at Devaraja Police the next day. As per the complainant was child was suffering from severe lung infection and breathing issues and the issue was brought to her notice by the patient's mother, who hails from an economically impoverished family.

Based on the complaint filed by Shilpa AG, First Class Additional Senior Civil Judge and Chief Judicial Magistrate in Mysuru on October 27, the police have booked the duty doctor of Cheluvamba and other doctors of KR Hospital under Sections 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code.

Judge Shilpa has also filed a complaint in this regard with the Lokayukta police.

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As per the latest media report by The Hindu, the child was initially taken to Jayadeva Hospital for treatment. After examining the patient, the doctors referred her to Cheluvamba Children's hospital as there were no heart-related issues. Accordingly, the child was taken to Cheluvamba hospital and the duty doctor was requested to attend the patient.

According to the FIR, the duty doctor did not attend to the child and refused to grant admission on the grounds of the non-availability of bed. Following this, the child was shifted to JSS Hospital. After examining the patient, the doctors advised necessary treatment but asked to pay Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per day as cost of expenses.

Since the patient and her family were unable to afford the fees, the child was taken to K.R. Hospital at 10 p.m. However, no treatment was initiated. The FIR stated that when a security personnel attached to the CJM knocked at the room of the duty doctor, the doctor not only delayed opening the door but also was annoyed that her sleep was disturbed.

Even though the complainant introduced herself as the CJM of Mysuru and the doctor was informed about the medical history of the child, the doctor discussed the matter with her colleague for another hour and ultimately refused admission on the grounds that the child was 12 years old and therefore should be shifted to paediatric centre at the Cheluvamba Hospital. 

Thereafter, the child was admitted after the Resident Medical Officer arrived there and finally the treatment initiated. Commenting on the matter, a police officer told Indian Express, "Shilpa personally called the District Health Officer and contacted Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr *** KR Hospital and informed him about the patient. It was about 10pm. The duty doctor, Dr ***, was annoyed that her sleep was disturbed. Shilpa then contacted Vasanth, a court police constable, who reached the hospital to take stock of the matter."

"However, the doctor, after discussion with PG student Dr ***for an hour, refused to admit the child and asked the parents to take the child to Cheluvamba hospital. *** was admitted for treatment in Cheluvamba hospital following the intervention of the RMO around 12.30 am. But the patient died on October 31," added the officer.

In her complaint, the judge said that the negligence on the part of the doctors amounted to a violation of the law and it endangered the child's life. Commenting on the matter, the Devaraja Police inspector Shivakumar mentioned that a case of medical negligence has been registered and the matter is being investigated. He also mentioned that the CCTV records are being verified and further probe is on.

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