Death of patient on stretcher: Three Ludhiana Civil Hospital doctors get show cause notice

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2024-01-12T14:45:00+05:30 | Updated On 12 Jan 2024 2:45 PM IST

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Ludhiana: In the aftermath of a patient's tragic demise following a fall from a stretcher at the Ludhiana Civil Hospital, decisive steps have been taken, with one Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) facing charge sheeting, and show-cause notices issued to three other doctors.

The actions ensued after Deputy Commissioner (DC) Surbhi Malik presented a detailed probe report to the Punjab Medical Council. The incident in question unfolded on August 27, 2023, when a 45-year-old accident victim, suffered a fatal fall from a stretcher within the premises of the civil hospital.

The chargesheet against the EMO signifies the initial wave of disciplinary measures, underscoring the seriousness with which the authorities are addressing the unfortunate incident. Concurrently, three other doctors implicated in the matter have been served show-cause notices, demanding their responses within a stipulated period of 21 days. The probe also led to the suspension of two staff nurses and a class-four employee. As per a recent media report by Times of India, Ludhiana chief medical officer Jasveer Singh Aulakh said, “Three doctors have been issued show cause notices to which they are supposed to reply in 21 days, while one doctor has been charge-sheeted. The chargesheeted doctor will go through another inquiry now.”

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However, the incident has brought to light broader concerns regarding the civil hospital's operational challenges. Doctors and other officials have raised issues pertaining to the inadequacy of facilities and manpower. Notably, the hospital is grappling with a severe shortage of personnel, with only 13 regular Class Four employees against a sanctioned post of 51. Additionally, the hospital has a meager two safai sewaks in contrast to the sanctioned posts of 52, reports the Daily.

According to the Indian Public Health Standards guidelines applicable to 300-bedded hospitals,135 staff nurses should be posted against 51 sanctioned posts. In adherence to National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) guidelines, a patient-staff-nurse ratio of 1:6 is prescribed for general wards per shift. However, the male ward, accommodating 46 beds, is grappling with a critical staff shortage, with only one staff nurse assigned per shift instead of the recommended eight.

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EMO chargesheetshow cause noticesPunjab Medical CouncilnegligencePatient DeathLudhiana Civil Hospitaldoctors

Source : with inputs

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.