Medical equipment including ultrasound machine damaged

Bengaluru, Mar 7 (DHNS): Relatives of a woman patient, who died of H1NI at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital in the City on Saturday morning, went on a rampage damaging properties worth several lakhs at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.

They accused the hospital staff of medical negligence even thrashed the hospital’s medical director.

According to the hospital authorities, the victim’s kin poured petrol all over the hospital lobby, probably with an intention to burn the hospital down. “Equipment costing approximately Rs 40 lakh besides the furniture within the ICU were damaged. They also threatened the staff working in the ICU,” they said.

The hospital, in a media release, claimed that when the security staff tired to help and protect the medical director, the staffer was physically assaulted and admitted to the casualty of the hospital.

Alla Babby (55) , a resident of Yelahanka, was admitted to the hospital on February 26 with severe cough, breathlessness and blood in the sputum.Swab examination confirmed that she had H1N1 infection. Babby was since then at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She died at 6.30 am on Sunday.

The police said relatives were furious as they suspected medical negligence had caused the death. The patient’s relatives gathered at the hospital and started arguing with the nurse and doctors.

They hurled stones and damaged windowpanes, glass cabins and several medical equipment, including ultrasound scanning machine. The hospital authorities alerted the police, who rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said the police.

The hospital authorities have registered a complaint against a few persons. They will be arrested after the last rites of the woman are performed, police said.