Elderly patient dies at Sriganganagar Hospital; family alleges staff busy with film promotion

Sriganganagar: Medical negligence allegations have surfaced against a private hospital in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar district following the death of a 65-year-old patient, with family members claiming that hospital staff were occupied with arrangements for a Punjabi film promotion event instead of attending to patients.

The deceased, a resident of Roopnagar, was undergoing treatment at Jan Seva Hospital in the RIICO area. According to his family, several doctors, nursing staff, and other personnel were engaged in managing a promotional event for a Punjabi film featuring singer and actor Gippy Grewal at the nearby Tantia University campus. 

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The family alleged that the shortage of available medical personnel resulted in inadequate care when the patient's condition suddenly deteriorated. They claimed that despite repeated requests for medical assistance, doctors and staff failed to respond promptly, which contributed to his death.

The relatives further alleged that hospital ambulances were being used to transport gifts and bouquets intended for the visiting artists attending the event. As a result, they claimed that no ambulance was available when they sought to transfer the patient to another medical facility.

Following the patient's death, his family members, along with the members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), staged a protest outside the hospital.

Speaking to Bhaskar English, NSUI District President, claimed that the hospital's doctors, nursing staff, and even support staff were engaged in managing arrangements for the event. “The entire hospital was virtually left empty. There was no one available to properly look after the patients,” he alleged. 

He further alleged that family members repeatedly appealed for medical attention as the patient’s health deteriorated, but their requests went unanswered.

The Jan Seva Hospital management has strongly denied the allegations. The hospital manager said the patient had been suffering from a prolonged illness and was already undergoing treatment.

“The patient died due to his medical condition. All hospital staff were present and performing their duties. The allegations being levelled against the hospital are completely false,” he said, reports Bhaskar English.

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