Post News Network
Sambalpur, Oct 25: Tension ran high at Burla based-VSS Medical College and Hospital Sunday after irate people went on a rampage in the casualty department following the death of 19-year-old youth due to alleged medical negligence.
Himanshu Chhatria, son of Ratna Chhatria, of Atachakipada under Sambalpur police limits was admitted died at the casualty ward late Saturday night.
Sources said Chhatria complained of chest pain and breathlessness after the handle of a tube-well hit his chest while he was bathing near his house October 21. He was admitted to the orthopedics department of the hospital where doctors administered him treatment for three days before advising for blood transfusion Saturday.
Family members arranged blood but stating that Chhatria had recovered, the doctor discharged him in the morning.
Chhatria returned home but his condition turned critical in the evening. Family members rushed him to the casualty department of VSS hospital where he was allegedly kept untreated for two hours though he was writhing in pain. He succumbed at 10 pm.
The incident triggered tension among the residents who ransacked the casualty ward in protest against the death. The hospital staff and post-graduate students fled the scene apprehending danger to their lives. The vandalism led to outrage among PG students who launched a cease-work agitation demanding arrest of the protesters. The agitation by PG students severely hit healthcare services at the hospital putting the lives of patients at risk.
On the other hand, locals kept the body on a road at Burla and staged a blockade for four hours demanding compensation to the bereaved family, arrest of the errant doctors and hospital staff for negligence in treatment and withdrawal of the complaint lodged by the medical students against the protesters. The blockade threw traffic out of gear with vehicles having to take separate diversions to reach their destinations.
Hirakud sub-divisional police officer Abakash Routray, Burla police station IIC Tophan Bag and Hirakud police station IIC Sabitri Bal rushed to the spot and tried to placate the agitators. The protesters relented n the afternoon after Routray assured them of action on completion of a probe.
The medical students, however, continued their agitation till this reports was filed. Two complaints have been filed in the local police station –by chief medical officer of the hospital Dr Arabinda Dash and the cousin of the deceased.
