WB: Probe Holds Apollo Guilty of Medical Negligence, delay in release of patient and tampering with documents

Kolkata: An inquiry committee, set up by the West Bengal government, has found medical negligence, delay in release and tampering of documents as reasons for the death of Sanjoy Roy at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital recently.

The death of the 30-year-old patient had caused an outcry and eventually led to the setting up of a medical council by the state government to monitor functioning of private hospitals.

Talking to reporters at the state secretariat after submitting the findings of the probe committee and meeting the chief minister, state Health Secretary Rajendra Shukla said that the report indicated medical negligence, delay in Sanjay Roys release and tampering of documents related to his treatment.

"The inquiry committee report indicated three points: Medical negligence, delay in the release of the patient until the bills were settled, getting hold of fixed deposit and tampering of documents related to the treatment," Shukla said.

However, he said, as the findings of the six-member inquiry committee did not pinpoint who were accountable for the "three indicators" found by the probe committee, the state health department set up a three-member committee to go through the report and the documents.

"The report has not pinpointed responsibilities for the three indicators... that's very important. So the (health) department has set up a three-member committee to go through the report and the documents," he said.

The three-member committee, consisting of Gastroenterologist Prof G. Dhali, former Prof Surgery CMC Madhusudhan Banerjee and Health Services Director Biswaranjan Satpathy, would submit its report to the government within three days fixing responsibility, Shukla said.

On being asked what action could be taken against the persons found guilty, Shukla said that the department would "seek legal advice".

The health secretary refused to comment on being asked if the probe committee report would be referred to the CID.

Read also: Apollo Hospital, Kolkata told to refund Rs 8 lakhs to family of deceased patient