Doctor booked for culpable homicide after patient's death at Vasai Hospital

Vasai: In a case of alleged medical negligence, a chief doctor at Breath Care Hospital in Vasai has been booked under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder following the death of a patient in 2024.

An investigation by the Palghar district surgeon’s office revealed that the patient's treatment was handled by Resident Medical Officers rather than the doctor who was assigned to look after the patient.

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As per the TOI news report, the incident occurred on the night of March 18, when the 27-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital after experiencing severe chest pain. Despite efforts to treat him, the patient passed away. Following his death, his family members accused the doctor of negligence and claimed that the hospital failed to give the patient oxygen support which resulted in his death.

The Palghar district surgeon conducted an investigation and uncovered crucial details in the case papers and hospital records. The report suggests that the doctor did not personally attend to the patient during his hospitalization. Instead, the treatment was carried out by the Resident Medical Officers (RMOs).

When the police were informed, an FIR was registered which mentioned that the CCTV footage from the hospital revealed that the patient was moved to the pathology lab for a scan without oxygen support.

Though the police initially registered a case of accidental death, reports from different agencies blamed the doctor for dereliction of duty. Also, the doctor failed to produce the documents supporting the treatment provided to the patient, an official said as reported by PTI.

Based on the substantial evidence, the doctor has been booked under Indian Penal Code section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). An investigation is underway.

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