PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
The son of the woman who died during a fire at the Panacea hospital here has filed a police complaint on Thursday against the hospital accusing it of negligence. His 55-year-old Veerwati reportedly died due to burn injuries caused by a fire inside the hospital’s ICU on Wednesday. The complaint was lodged at Nehru Colony police station by Sunny Pal, a resident of Kanwali Gaon on GMS Road.
According to the complaint, Veerwati fell unconscious after feeling dizzy on the morning of May 19. The family first took her to Government Doon Medical College Hospital, but they were informed that no bed was available in the emergency ward. They then contacted the 108 ambulance service. The family wanted to shift the patient to another hospital, but they were again told that beds were unavailable. Later, a private ambulance arranged by the ambulance staff allegedly advised the family to admit the patient to Panacea hospital.
The complainant alleged that the hospital charged around Rs 50,000 within 10 hours in the name of tests and medicines. On the morning of May 20, the patient’s son received a call from his elder brother informing him that a fire had broken out in the hospital’s ICU. Shortly after, the family was informed that Veerwati had died due to burn injuries caused by the fire, he averred.
The family further alleged that the hospital did not have proper fire safety arrangements or trained staff to control the fire.
In the complaint, the family demanded a detailed investigation into the incident and strict action against those responsible. They also requested that the role of ambulance staff and emergency service workers should also be investigated to prevent such incidents in the future. The police have registered the complaint and further investigation is underway.
