Outrage against hospital for keeping 'dead patients on life support'

The family members of two patients who died while undergoing treatment at Asafri Hospital in Dhanbad cried over foul over the deaths, accusing the hospital management of unethical practices and fleecing. One of the family alleged that the body of the patient kept on 'life support' for overcharging.

Dhanbad:The district administration on Sunday assured action against a hospital in Dhanbad Asafri after family members of two dead patients cried foul over fraud and fleecing.

According to sources, two deaths have been reported from Asafri Hospital in the last two days, prompting the district administration to constitute a special committee to probe the matter.

In the first case, the family of a deceased Bindu Niwasi said the doctors at the hospital told them that she was suffering from brain haemorrhage and assured them her recovery. However, the doctors reported that she 'died' following breathing difficulties when the ventilator was removed.

The family said the hospital also issued a death certificate and told them to take the body home. When asked about the health complications, the hospital said that it happened because of ventilator issues.

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In a similar incident, the kin of 38-year-old Nirmala Devi alleged foul play and said the woman had passed away a couple of days ago but the hospital continued to keep on 'life support'. Devi was also diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage and was kept on ICU ventilator.

The families have sought police action. Police have launched an investigation into the matters and the bodies have been sent for autopsy.

The district administration has assured the families that strict action will be taken against the hospital if found.

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