70-year-old patient dies after alleged treatment delay at KGMU
Family Struggles Through Night for Oxygen Bed as Elderly Man Dies
Lucknow: A 70-year-old patient reportedly died after being denied urgent medical care due to the unavailability of an oxygen-equipped bed at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow. The family alleges that they spent several hours outside the hospital waiting for treatment, but were ultimately forced to return to a private facility where the man eventually passed away.
The patient, a resident of Sarojini Nagar, was taken to a private hospital on Thursday evening after he began experiencing severe breathing difficulties. Doctors initially stabilised him with oxygen support but soon referred him to King George's Medical University (KGMU) for more advanced care as his condition deteriorated.
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According to the patient’s son-in-law, the family rushed him to the trauma centre at KGMU, hoping for urgent care and admission. But instead of swift action, they were met with repeated delays. He alleged that the family waited for nearly four hours with the patient lying on a stretcher, struggling to breathe. Despite multiple pleas, no doctor attended to him, and oxygen support was not provided. He said, "The staff kept telling us no beds were available. No one even came to check on him.
After losing hope of timely assistance, the family returned to the same private hospital from which they had been referred. Sadly, the patient passed away during treatment shortly after.
The patient’s son-in-law alleged complete negligence on the part of both the private hospital and KGMU, stating that repeated requests for help were met with silence while the patient's oxygen levels continued to drop without any action being taken.
In response to the allegations, KGMU officials denied any intentional negligence. Dr. Sudhir Singh, the hospital spokesperson, confirmed that the patient had been referred due to a lack of ventilator beds.
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According to India Today, "He was asked to wait, as no beds were available at the time," Dr Singh stated. The patient and his family left before any further arrangements could be made, he added.
The incident has ignited public outrage over the persistent deficiencies in emergency infrastructure at major government hospitals, particularly in critical, life-threatening situations.
The family has called for accountability from the hospital administration, demanding action against what they say was "preventable negligence", reports India Today.
