Video of Shankar reveals medical negligence

On March 13, Shankar and his wife Kausalya, were attacked in broad daylight by unidentified assailants, after which they were rushed to the Udumalpet Government Hospital. A video filmed by unknown people has surfaced on social media which shows the plight of the hapless couple in hospital. A heavily-injured Shankar is seen asking for water, complaining that he is unable to breathe, while a bewildered Kausalya, who is also badly injured, looks on. 

Shockingly, there is no duty doctor present and the casualty ward has several onlookers watching the tragedy play out. The couple was left in the open on stretchers and after being temporarily bandaged, Shankar was wheeled back into the ambulance. An injured Kausalya is asked by the medical officials to hold the saline, as the ambulance made its long journey towards Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Sadly, Shankar died en-route, while Kausalya is recuperating at the hospital. 

According to Dr S Geethalakshmi, Vice Chancellor of Dr MGR Medical University, it is mandatory for duty doctors to be present at the casualty ward of any hospital – be it government or private. “The patient is first taken to the casualty ward. There are at least four duty doctors who have to be available around the clock. Moreover, a casualty area is a sterile environment and only the medical persons and one attender may be allowed. 

This is the standard protocol,” said this medical expert. Advocate Sanjay Pinto said that a breach of protocol is viable for litigation as a part of the Consumer Protection Act. A Kathir, director of Evidence, the NGO which is legally representing Shankar’s family said that the couple’s requests for help went unheeded. 

“The couple had been threatened by the girl’s family and they had made verbal and written complaints at the Komaralingam Police Station but there was no action taken. The medical negligence is only a continuation of this lack of action,” he said.