Cong cries foul as Amethi hospital shut over medical negligence

“On the basis of shortcomings found in the preliminary investigation, orders have been given to the hospital administration to issue a notice for clarification under the Clinical Act. After receiving the clarification, strict action will be taken against the hospital administration on the basis of merits and demerits and registration of the said hospital. Action for cancellation and sealing will also be taken. Orders have also been given to complete all the proceedings as soon as possible and the hospital administration has been prohibited to admit new patients,” Pathak said. Chief Medical Officer (Amethi) Anshuman Singh said that while the hospital was served a notice seeking an explanation in three months, the decision to suspend the licence was taken after prima facie evidence of laxity was found in the preliminary inquiry. Awadhesh Sharma, the hospital’s CEO, accused the CMO of not giving them enough time to explain the incident, claiming the decision to revoke the hospital license was taken “in haste”. “With the license of the hospital being suspended, all services provided by the hospital including emergency and OPD have come to a standstill.” Sharma alleged the hospital didn’t get a fair hearing and called the suspension of its licence an “act of political vengeance”. “This is a one-sided action on the part of the administration, and we will move the court against this,” he added. “We are going to appeal against the decision in the court. We were asked for an explanation about the September 14 incident by the officials and were given three months’ time, but orders were issued to suspend the licence of the hospital in the next 24 hours. We are not denying the incident and there can be an inquiry into it. An FIR has already been lodged,” Wing Commander (retd) Manoj Muttu, the administrator of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust, told the Tehelka. “Twelve surgeries that took place on that day (September 14) and about 10 operations, mainly of orthopaedic, general surgery and gynae, take place every day at the hospital,” he added. “Such an incident could happen even in government hospitals. But to close down the entire hospital with 450 staff, 600 nursing students, 200 paramedic students, that too without affording any opportunity of being heard? Is that justified? Under what rule? Therefore, we are going to make an appeal,” Muttu said. Meanwhile, Congress leader KL Sharma, while expressing sympathy for the family of the 22-year-old woman, severely criticised the government’s decision. “The law will take its course but the way the hospital was closed down is not right. The one who is guilty should be punished and not the entire organisation. The hospital has been serving the people of Amethi for decades and now a lock has been put on it. The hospital is not of the Congress, it caters to all,” Sharma added.