Accident victim denied medical aid for 4 hours

Social activist files FIR against Sion Hospital staff for refusing treatment to a 34-yr-old who fell off a moving train

A SOCIAL activist has filed an FIR against authorities at the civic-run Sion Hospital for not admitting a seriously injured patient for more than four hours after he fell off a moving train at Dadar on Saturday.


Deepak Sawant fell off a train at Dadar station

According to the GRP, Deepak Sawant (34) fell onto the tracks from a local train near Dadar railway station at 7.30 pm and was immediately rushed to Sion Hospital.

However, doctors there allegedly refused to admit him and made him and GRP officials wait for more than an hour.

When social activist Samir Gandhi heard of Sawant's plight, he rushed to the hospital demanding an explanation. "When I reached the hospital and sought an explanation, the doctors ignored my pleas to admit Sawant.

They asked me if I was related to the victim and when I said I wasn't, they demanded that I leave the premises," said Gandhi, who lost both his legs in a train accident.

"The doctors even asked us to get a CT scan done on him from elsewhere," he alleged.

Refusing to back down, Gandhi called up the police helpline. On hearing the complaint, the police arrived at the hospital and doctors finally began treating Sawant around 11.55 pm.
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"We were shocked when the doctors refused treatment. It was only after Gandhi got involved that the medical staff began treating Sawant," said a senior GRP official.

Gandhi then approached the Sion police and lodged an FIR against the hospital's emergency medical department.

Confirming the complaint, Sub-Inspector Hanumant Mandlik said, "An FIR has been filed against the hospital under Section 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Panel Code. The matter is being investigated."

The Other Side
"I am aware of the incident. The treatment was delayed because there was a dispute between two departments of the hospital. I have sought an explanation from the concerned departments and will take action against the culprits," said Dr Suleman Merchant, acting dean, Sion Hospital.