Kulgam, August 13: A 4-year-old boy passed away on Tuesday morning at District Hospital (DH) Kulgam, sparking protessts from his family, who allege that his death was the result of “medical negligence”.
The child has been identified as Abu Talha, son of Tawseef Ahmad Ganie of Mandujan Shopian. According to family members the boy was admitted to the hospital on Monday around noon after experiencing stomach pain and fever.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad, a relative of the boy said that he was attended by doctors only twice during his stay—once upon admission and again at 3 a.m. The doctors reportedly advised that he could be discharged as he appeared to be recovering.
He said that however, tragedy struck the following morning. The boy’s condition suddenly deteriorated after he vomited, and he passed away shortly afterward. The family claims that no diagnostic tests or ultrasounds were performed during his time at the hospital.
“It was very unsatisfactory the way the care was provided, the family’s protest was only pacified after assurances from the administration, including a visit from Tehsildar Kulgam, who promised a thorough investigation,” Aijaz added.
Falak (name changed), an attendant in the same ward, claimed that no doctor visited the patient during the night. According to her, after making rounds in the afternoon around 3 and 4 p.m., the doctors did not return to the ward.
She further alleged that attendants had to physically go to the doctors’ room, knock on the door, and plead with them to check on the patients. Falak also said that when the minor boy was breathing his last, no doctor was present.
Dr. Ashiq Hussain, Incharge Medical Superintendent at DH Kulgam, said that the patient had been diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and was stable throughout his stay and was attended by two doctors properly.
Dr. Hussain said that the boy had been doing well and was even having tea in the morning when he suddenly vomited and died.
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