Central Railway shielding woman doc who declared live patient dead?

Nagpur: The administration has failed to take action against a woman doctor at the Nagpur Central Railway Hospital for declaring a live patient dead last month.

The Bharatiya Yatri Kendra (BYK) in a memorandum to divisional railway manager (DRM) OP Singh has demanded action against senior divisional medical officer (SrDMO) Dr V Londhekar concerned who pronounced a woman patient dead after examining her.

According to Basant Shukla, general secretary of BYK, the woman was brought to the railway hospital from the station but Dr Londhekar had declared the woman dead and also issued a death certificate.

When the woman was shifted to the nearby Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC), she was found to be alive. The matter was raised by the media following which Dr Londhekar was issued a show-cause on August 22, by then chief medical superintendent (CMS) Dr VK Assudani. A reply was sought from her in 7 days.

Interestingly, on August 20, when the incident took place, Dr Londhekar was nominated for train call duties. Dr Assudani in his show-cause states that the woman doctor issued death certificate without proper examination.

Dr Assudani refused to comment. Central Railway PRO PD Patil admitted that it was a serious issue and said, "The lady doctor has submitted her explanation and subsequently the CMS too has submitted a report. If the doctor is found responsible appropriate action will be taken." However, he was not ready to divulge the details of the report.

The BYK has questioned the credibility of doctors at the railway hospital and also said that it lacks trained staff. Even after a month no action has been taken against the erring doctor.

"There are no facilities for heart patients like ventilators and blood bank. It lacks radiologists and other specialists. Serious employees are referred to private hospitals," said Shukla.

Shukla warned that if action is not taken against the lady doctor, BYK will call on railway minister Suresh Prabhu and local MPs and raise the issue.