Passer-by who took injured biker to hospital says he was given first aid and asked to go to government-run Sassoon
Passer-by who took injured biker to hospital says he was given first aid and asked to go to government-run Sassoon
In yet another case of an accident victim being turned away by a private hospital, a man injured in a hit-and-run at Koregaon Park was denied admission at the Inlaks Budhrani General Hospital and sent to Sassoon for further treatment. The accident took place on Saturday at 10.45 am, when a speeding car knocked down a biker near German Bakery in Koregaon Park. Instead of rushing the victim to a hospital, the car sped away, leaving victim Sharad Walhekar bleeding on the road.
An eyewitness to the accident, Pravin Aher, rushed Walhekar to the nearby Inlaks hospital, where he was given first aid. "What they told me next was shocking. The man was in a bad state and hospital staff told me he was critical. His relatives couldn't be contacted and since they weren't present to sign the papers, the hospital was reluctant to treat him further," said Aher.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Aher, despite repeated requests the doctors did not agree to admit the victim and instead arranged for an ambulance to shift the patient to Sassoon General Hospital. "I had no choice, so I took him with me in an ambulance. I contactedu00a0 Walhekar's office staff on the way. His sister arrived at Sassoon hospital and took over the formalities," said Aher.
MiD DAY contacted authorities at Inlaks Budhrani hospital, who admitted that certain medico-legal cases are referred to Sassoon hospital if they are too risky. "I don't know about this specific case but, yes, if an accident victim's kin cannot be traced and the injured is in a critical state, we don't take responsibility and shift them to Sassoon. That's because Sassoon has a chowky and the police are always present to do all formalities and, God forbid, if something goes wrong, relatives will hold us responsible," said Dr Asha Rewlani, medical superintendent of the hospital.
Asked how the hospital could refuse treatment to a critical patient and transfer him, she said such a transfer is done only if the patient is in a shape to make the journey. "We first review the case and if the patient is stable enough to survive the journey, only then we shift them," she said.
Med fraternity says
Doctors as well as activists said that the responsibility of hospitals does not end with first aid alone. "This isn't the first time we have heard of such a thing; it does get reported. We say a patient should be transferred only if he is stable and vitals are okay. Also, there should be a strong and valid reason for transfer, like if hospital authorities feel he will get better treatment at the referred hospital. Refusing medical aid to an accident victim is a crime," said Dr Devendra Shirole, national vice-president, IMA.
Chandmal Parmar, member of accident prevention committee of Maharashtra and a road traffic activist, said such cases go unnoticed as people are unaware of their rights. "Refusing treatment to accident victims is a punishable crime but in crisis situations, people get scared and are unaware of their rights. Fifteen years ago, a doctor was booked under the Motor Vehicles Act for refusing treatment. That was the last such case. Unfortunately, people don't lodge complaints against doctors or hospitals in such cases," said Parmar.
What law says
Section 134 of the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, says: "The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident should take all reasonable steps to secure medical attention for injured person by carrying him to the nearest medical practitioner or hospital and it shall be the duty of every medical practitioner or doctor on duty in the hospital to immediately attend to the injured person, render medical aid or treatment without waiting for any procedural formalities unless the person or guardian desires otherwise.
For those not complying with the above, Section 187 of the same act says: "The offender can be imprisoned for a term which may extend to three months or fine which may extend to Rs 500 or both and for the second offence, imprisonment for six months or fine of Rs 1,000 or both."
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
