Public outrage over patient's death: Doctors at GMC Manathavady Deny Medical Negligence allegations

Wayanad: The doctors at the Government Medical College, Manathavady have vehemently denied the allegations of medical negligence in the delayed shifting of a patient to Kozhikode Government Medical College.

After being attacked by an elephant herd on Friday morning, the patient died while being transported to GMC Kozhikode. While the political leaders and the relatives of the deceased have accused the doctors for the delay in shifting the patient, the medical fraternity at Manathavady have claimed that they did everything to keep the patient breathing from 9 am to 1 pm.

The patient, who was an employee at the Kuruva Eco-Tourism project under the Forest Department, succumbed to his injuries by Friday evening. This resulted in widespread protests in Wayanad.

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While the doctors have been targeted for alleged medical negligence, a doctor told Onmanorama on the condition of anonymity that when the patient was brought to the hospital, his heartbeats were feeble and his blood pressure was failing. "But he had memory and was talking, though feebly," said the doctor, adding, "From 9 am when he was brought till 1 pm, a team of 14 doctors attended him. His body was turning pale indicating internal bleeding. We were trying to stabilise him. All of us were sure that if we sent him straight away to Kozhikode Medical College, without administering essential primary care, Paul would not have survived even for an hour."

"As the internal bleeding was heavy and there were blood clots in the lungs, it was essential to undergo a cardiothoracic surgery. There was neither a cardiothoracic surgeon nor a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machine anywhere in Wayanad. So we contacted experts from Kozhikode Medical College who insisted on shifting the patient. There were three visible rib fractures. As the internal bleeding continued unabated, three units of blood were pumped in along with 1 unit of plasma," further mentioned the doctor.

Further, the concerned doctor also informed that the Ultrasound and CT scan were conducted and the reports confirmed clots and bleeding between the liver and lungs. "If the bleeding was from the lever, Paul could have been treated at Mananthavadi itself. But as the bleeding was from the lungs, there was no other choice but to shift him to Kozhikode," the doctor added.

The Daily adds that the Health Minister's office had given assurance to the doctors that the experts from Kozhikode would be available. However, because of non-availability of a cardiopulmonary bypass facility, including at WIMS Medical College, the patient was sent to Kozhikode in a medical ICU ambulance along with a doctor and three staff.

Referring to this, the doctor mentioned, "We were confident that Paul would reach Kozhikode and be healthy." However, the patient died en route. "We did our best to save him," said the doctor, adding, "We are trying to do our level best despite lack of funds, medicine and staff."