Patna hospital wrongly declares man as dead; kin shocked to discover mistake at crematorium

PMCH issued the death certificate of Chunnu Kumar, 40, who was admitted on April 9 and his relatives were informed that he had passed away on Sunday due to Covid-19. At the crematorium, relatives insisted on viewing the face of Kumar for one last time and were shocked to discover that the body handed to them was that of 'somebody else'.

Patna (Bihar): In a major goof-up, a man who was admitted apparently with a brain haemorrhage was declared dead authorities by Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) authorities who also handed over a "death certificate" to his family.

PMCH issued the death certificate of Chunnu Kumar, 40, who was admitted on April 9 and his relatives were informed that he had passed away on Sunday due to Covid-19.

Found someone else body at the crematorium ground

At the crematorium, relatives insisted on viewing the face of Kumar for one last time and were shocked to discover that the body handed to them was that of 'somebody else'. Upon enquiry, it was found that Kumar was still in hospital and they had been handed over the body of another patient.

Death certificate of the patient who is still alive

Tested covid positive in spite of taking bed rest for the last 4 months

Meanwhile, relatives of Kumar are furious about the medical negligence. "My whole family has tested negative for coronavirus. My husband has been nursing a broken leg for several days, he cannot move an inch how could he test positive for the virus?. Hospital is neglecting their patients, otherwise, how could they be so mistaken?" said Kavita, the wife of Kumar who was mistaken to be dead.

COVID report of the patient

Hospital staffs demand money in return for any favour to the patient

The family members also alleged that the hospital staffs always demand money in exchange for any favour to the patient.

"The hospital staffs always demand money if we seek any help from them. Yesterday, they had demanded Rs 200 to record a video of the patient. When he was declared dead, they had demanded Rs 2,000 to show the face of the patient. Also, the ambulance driver had taken Rs 1,500 in exchange for carrying the body", lamented the relatives of the patient who has still in the covid dedicated ward in the hospital.

"Stern action will be taken against those found guilty," said PMCH superintendent Dr IS Thakur.

(With inputs from agency)