25-year-old patient dies after transfer delay at Kanpur Medical College

Despite the mortuary being adjacent to the emergency ward, his body was not moved until 9 a.m. the next day—a full 11 hours later—after the matter reached the District Magistrate.

According to hospital officials, the delay was caused by paperwork issues, the absence of an attendant, and a shortage of staff, as many employees were reportedly on leave due to an ongoing festival.

With no relatives present, the hospital contacted Akbarpur police, who arranged for a home guard. Although an ambulance was reportedly called, it never arrived, and no further attempts were made to shift the patient.

Inspector Satish Singh of Akbarpur Police Station noted that the initial patient admission form was incomplete, and a corrected version was only sent around 8 p.m. He also mentioned that the hospital reported many employees were on leave due to an ongoing festival.

Also Read: Alleged Medical Negligence in laparoscopic surgery, incorrect painkiller administration- Consumer Court exonerates Chhattisgarh Hospital

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Dr Vandana Singh said that while the hospital had called for an ambulance, “The claim that it never arrived is incorrect.” She admitted that one ward boy and one sanitation worker were absent from duty that night, which delayed shifting the body.

She added that explanations had been sought and disciplinary action would follow.

Principal Dr Sajjan Lal Verma confirmed the patient died at 10.40 pm. “I have asked the CMS to submit a report specifying which doctors and staff were on duty and at what level the negligence occurred. Strict action will be taken,” he said, reports Hindustan Times.

On the night of the incident, the emergency ward was mainly staffed by junior personnel, including the on-duty doctor, a pharmacist, a ward boy, and two Class-IV employees.

District Magistrate Kapil Singh asserted that the arrangements in the hospital would be improved and that no negligence would be tolerated.