2 Patients die, 5 on ventilator after angioplasty under PM-JAY at Ahmedabad Hospital; 2 doctors served notices

Ahmedabad: A massive controversy has erupted at Khyati Hospital in Bodakdev after two patients, who attended a free medical camp organized by the hospital under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) passed away due to postoperative complications following angioplasty procedures on Monday. In response, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

This incident has caused widespread outrage as an angioplasty was performed at the hospital on 12 of the 19 patients and two of them died while 5 others were kept on ventilation. The two deceased individuals have been identified as 59-year-old Nagar Senma and 45-year-old Mahesh Barot. 

These 19 people were brought to Khyati Hospital by ambulance for treatment after they attended the free health checkup camp in Borisna village of Kadi taluka on November 10. Around 80 to 90 people were examined at the camp. 

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It came to light that the two deceased patients had no history of major disease or any family history of a heart condition as claimed by their family members. The relatives alleged that they were brought to the hospital for further treatment and were admitted without consultation and proper procedure. 

Following this, the doctors performed an angioplasty on them which is reported to have been performed without obtaining permission from the family, as per their statements. Further, the family of the two deceased patients claimed that the procedure was conducted to earn from MA card (Mukhyamantri Amrutam card) and stents were given without consulting their families. 

As per a TOI news report, the concerned relatives of the patients created a ruckus at the hospital after being contacted by the staff. Their worry quickly turned to anger, leading some to vandalize the hospital. The relatives claimed that the hospital neither sought consent nor informed the families about the procedures. They alleged that the procedures were hurriedly conducted to profit from the government scheme.

Baldev Barot, uncle of Mahesh Barot told the Daily, "He had never complained of any heart-related ailments. How come he developed such complications in a matter of 24 hours that the surgery needed to be performed immediately? The issue must be probed."

Speaking to ANI, Mitesh Patel, a resident of Boris village, said, "A medical camp was set up here. Two days before the 10th, banners were put up, and on November 10, the camp began at 9 am They informed everyone that if further treatment was needed, they'd have to go to the hospital. On November 11, a bus arrived at 9 am to transport people to the hospital. In total, 19 villagers went, including both men and women. Out of them, 90 per cent were completely healthy, yet the hospital staff used their Ayushman cards without notifying family members and quickly performed angiographies on all of them. When they decided stents were necessary, they inserted them without family notification or permission."

"Two people lost their lives in this process. The hospital prioritised cash payments at the reception before proceeding with the surgeries. Now, we are in the process of seeking justice. We have filed a police complaint and submitted a formal request," he added.

Afterwards, the police rushed to the hospital upon getting information and sent their body to Civil Hospital for post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death. A case of accidental death has been registered and an investigation is underway. 

Doctors served notices

Taking note of the tragic incidents, the Gujarat Medical Council has issued notice to two doctors and three staff of the hospital asking for an explanation of the details in 7 days. The action was taken after families of the deceased patient accused them of medical malpractice and illegally performing the procedure on them by keeping the families in the dark. 

The registrar of the council has asked the hospital to submit details of all the patients admitted, reasons for admission, treatment given, reports and other relevant documents in seven days for scrutiny. The council has also asked for the hospital registration, deed, ownership documents and the registration certificates of the doctors working at the hospital.

High-level investigation ordered

Taking strict action against the negligence, Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel ordered an inquiry on Tuesday into the deaths of two patients. In a post on X, Minister Patel called the incident "very serious" and said that an immediate inquiry will be carried out by the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

"The alleged incident at Khyati Hospital is very serious. I have ordered an immediate inquiry by the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) of PMJAY. If there is any substance to the allegations or evidence of medical negligence, severe action will be taken against the hospital and the doctors involved," the post mentioned.

Speaking to ANI, PMJAY Deputy Director UB Gandhi expressed concern over the incident. "This is a very unfortunate incident. Our team is en route to the hospital and will gather all relevant information, such as the number of angiograms and angioplasties performed, and whether each angioplasty was indicated."

"The records will be thoroughly reviewed, and our cardiology team will also be involved in the investigation. A report will be submitted to the commissioner, and necessary action will be taken," Gandhi said.

Nayan Patel, a resident of the village where the incident took place, shared his concerns with ANI. He explained, "There was an issue related to Khyati Hospital; they informed us about something. Later, my mother faced health issues related to this report, and they asked her to come for another test the following day." Patel's father then took his mother for the test, where the hospital conducted an angiography without fully explaining the procedure or its results.

He said, "My father was informed that there was no issue with his heart, yet they placed two stents without notifying anyone. This happened without any proper communication." He added, "I'm not feeling any physical discomfort, but I don't know what steps to take next."

Patel then expressed concerns over a lack of transparency regarding the medical procedures conducted in hospitals.

"I heard that out of the seven people tested, two passed away, even though they were all farmers with no health problems. How did they die? Everyone had stents placed, and angiographies were done without informing their families. I don't even know who signed the documents authorizing these procedures. Everyone came alone, and there's no clarity on who signed for them," Patel told ANI.

Response from the hospital

Chirag Rajput, CEO of the hospital told TOI, "All procedures followed due process, and the patients were informed about the issues for which they were being treated and operated on. We will cooperate with the probe."

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