Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Aug 21: An elderly patient died at Sub District Hospital (SDH) Banihal in Ramban as no doctor was allegedly present to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at the hospital.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a 70-year old man identified as Ghulam Nabi Bhat suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was taken to SDH Banihal.
In the absence of any doctor or other staff available at the hospital, his son Altaf Ahmad had no option other than to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) himself.
The video in which the attendant was seen giving CPR to a patient was shared by a National Conference (NC) leader on social media while saying that he was saddened and outraged by the incident.
“Deeply saddened and outraged to see a patient Gulam Nabi Bhat R/O Banihal dying at Sub-District Hospital, Banihal this morning because no doctor was available at 7 AM. His son was left to desperately perform manual chest compressions to save him. This gross negligence is unforgivable and demands immediate action. My heartfelt condolences to his family and relatives,” NC leader wrote on Facebook.
Following the incident, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ramban has ordered an inquiry by constituting a team. The team was asked to submit a report within two days.
“This office has received video wherein it has been seen that one attendant is performing CPR to the patient in the casualty room but no doctor is on duty at that time. To ascertain the facts of the complaint the committee of Officer/Official is hereby constituted to conduct the enquiry in the matter in depth and submit the factual report along with definite remarks to this office within two days positively,” reads the order, a copy of which lies KNO.
The committee members as per order include Dr. Mohd Iqbal Malik District Health Officer and Dr. Mohd Syed Medical Officer (MD Medicine)—(KNO)
