Daijiworld Media Network-Koppal (RJP)

Koppal, Jun 26: A government doctor locked the hospital from outside leaving the patients inside when he wanted to attend an ‘important’ meeting. Only that he was ‘kind’ enough to hand over the keys to one of the patients in case of any ‘emergency’.

The incident took place at a primary health care centre in Bhagyanagar near here on Sunday, June 25. The doctor has been criticized by people for his negligence.

Dr Basanth Kumar Patil is the doctor who is at the receiving end now.

A woman named Manjula was admitted in the hospital when she was pregnant. She delivered the baby on Saturday. Dr Patil visited the hospital on Sunday morning for few minutes. He told the patients that he was leaving as he had to attend an important meeting called by higher officials. He locked the hospital from inside and gave the keys to one of the patients to manage the situation in case of any emergency. In short, he wanted to send a signal to visitors that the hospital was closed as the doctor was away.

Little later, a youth named Manjunatha fell down from a bike and sustained minor injuries. He came to the hospital to take treatment, but found the hospital closed. He heard voices of some people from inside and came to know that there were patients inside. He told the public about this and the truth was revealed.

District health officer (DHO) Dr Ramakrishna said that no such meeting was called by him and in any case, the hospital cannot be locked. He has promised that action will be taken against the doctor and other staff. Sadly even the nurses were not present in the hospital during the absence of doctor