Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 29: Taking no lessons from the previous unfortunate incidents of `deaths’ in District Hospital Rajouri, at least 16 cases of glucose reaction and death of a 23 year-old KAS aspirant, have been reported in this hospital in just last 3-4 days while a team of Drugs Controller department has seized the samples and sent the same for testing in the Laboratory today.
Minister incharge Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan who happens to be Congress Legislator from Rajouri constituency claimed to have ordered a probe into the matter. He said that an inquiry has been ordered and the committee will submit a report in this connection shortly. Moreover, hospital supply has been stopped and the people have been asked to purchase the glucose bottles from outside.
Drug Controller J&K, Satish Gupta told the Excelsior that on receiving complaints and also after a request from Chief Medical Officer Rajouri, samples of glucose ( Dextrose/NL) and even the Medicate sets being supplied by the Directorate of Health Services Jammu have been seized and sent to laboratory for tests. There may be some problem with the hospital supply or some other reason for the same but the tests procedure will take at least 15 to 20 days. He said the team under the supervision of Assistant Drug Controller Raj Kumar collected the samples and asked the hospital staff to stop using the stuff on patients till the tests report is finalized.
23-years old-Wasim Khan, who was preparing for the KAS and hails from Thanamandi died yesterday due to reaction of hospital glucose. The youth complained severe pain in abdomen and was shifted to District Hospital at around 7 pm on Saturday. After examination by concerned doctors, he was taken to the nearby hospital official quarter of Mohd Sadiq. He was administered glucose by the staff but after reaction his condition deteriorated. Though he was attended by Dr Jameel and Dr Zakir ( Physician and Surgeon) and also by Dr Javed but they could not control the reaction and administered several life saving drugs within 2-3 hours. The youth ultimately died at around 1.30 am (midnight) in hospital quarters where doctors also reside nearby. He also lost his vision partially about two hours before his death and started loose motions.
It was established that four more patients admitted to district hospital had complained of reaction after they were provided glucose through drip set. They were identified as Mohd Latief of Behrote, Parvez Akhtar of Siora, Imtiaz Ahmed from Darhali bridge and Fazal Hussain from Manjakote. Their drip sets were removed immediately by staff and their health condition was managed. Hardly four days back, driver Prem Kumar of CMO Rajouri, also had same problem when he was administered the drip set in hospital. His condition was controlled by the staff. Insiders in the hospital told the Excelsior that in last 3-4 days at-least 15-16 such incidents have taken place but staff continued to play with the lives of the patients and did not stop it.
Dr Arun Sharma, Medical Superintendent of the district hospital however, claimed that he had communicated to the Drug Controller office to collect the samples of glucose for testing. He also claimed that youth was not admitted in the hospital and was provided glucose there. Moreover, attendants of the patients have been asked to purchase glucose/ drip sets from private shops till the test report is obtained.
Hardly two months back, another youth Shariq Shadab from Darhal area had died in this hospital due to alleged negligence of doctors. Several delivery cases were also mishandled by the staff in the same hospital and at least half a dozen persons have lost lives due to alleged negligence in last six months. This hospital has now attained the dubious distinction in the State of playing with the lives of the patients despite the fact that Health Minister belonged to this constituency.
One Sadiq Khan, relative of the deceased youth said that glucose supply is sub-standard in the hospital. It may be expired as well. The family has lost a young member who was PG and preparing for the KAS exams. The doctors kept them in dark and did not tell to shift the boy to GMC Hospital, Jammu and only gave assurances that `nothing to worry, he will be alright’. The doctors also claimed that they will manage his deteriorating health condition with life saving drugs but ultimately, Wasim died struggling for life for over six and half hours. He demanded impartial inquiry into the matter.
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