'I had swine flu but docs refused me treatment'

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In Delhi, a swine flu patient was allegedly refused treatment at a government hospital when he questioned doctors about an unscheduled lunch break.

Vikas Chaudhary, a resident of Mayur Vihar, who recently recovered from the flu, has alleged doctors at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in east Delhi refused to treat him last month.

Long wait

"I was recommended a swine flu test by my family doctor and was asked to visit the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital as it is one of the few government establishments where the test is conducted. On December 15, I visited the hospital at around 1 pm and queued up after two people at the Swine Flu Treatment Centre," said Chaudhary, who is in his early twenties.

He said after waiting for around 45 minutes, he realised the doctor on duty was not calling anyone and the lunch break was about to start at 2 pm. Allegedly, when the patients asked the ward boy about the doctor, they were told he had already gone for lunch.

"I asked the hospital staff to follow rules and respect patients waiting for treatment. At this, the employees answered rudely and even the senior resident doctor on duty warned me," Chaudhary said.

Chaudhary alleged when the doctor at the testing centre returned, he too was rude with him.

'Rude doc'

"The doctor returned at 2.10 pm and my turn came at 2.15 pm. Dr Ajay, who was checking suspected swine flu patients, asked me a few questions about my health. Then, he started questioning me on my comments about his extended lunch break. I said people were waiting to be checked while he was taking a break. The doctor became irritated and started arguing with me and shouting at me. He said it was his right to take a break whenever he wanted to and it did not depend on what's written outside on the board. Other senior doctors joined him and started shouting at me," said Chaudhary.

He alleged the doctor checked him grudgingly and he was not even informed about the test results and was asked to leave without proper medication. MiD DAY has with it the prescriptions and test results of Chaudhary.

Second visit

Chaudhary said his condition deteriorated and he consulted his family doctor who asked him to visit the hospital again. "This time I asked someone who was well-connected at the hospital to recommend me," said Chaudhary.

Chaudhary alleged, after seeing the recommendation, the same doctor scanned him, confirmed he was suffering from an H1N1 virus attack, and prescribed him medication and precautions. "I was asked not to visit social places."

When MiD DAY contacted the hospital management, they said they were not aware of the incident but assured an enquiry.

The Other Side

RA Gautam, medical superintendent of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, said, "The case is not in my knowledge but we will conduct an enquiry. We make sure that no patient remains unchecked and proper medication is given to everyone."

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