Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak on Sunday warned of action against officials, referring to a viral video that allegedly showed an elderly man carrying his sick wife from the Bareilly district hospital in a handcart. An investigation into the matter was initiated following Pathak’s directions.
“For me, patients are the embodiment of divinity; hence, any form of negligence whatever in their care and service will be met with absolute intolerance. Maximum possible punitive measures will be taken against the guilty,” said the Deputy Prime Minister, who also holds the health portfolio.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate Avinash Singh said that a three-member committee will be formed to investigate the matter and a report will be submitted within three days. Dr Pawan Kumar Arun, Director General of Medical Health, said that an investigation has been launched into the matter. He added: “The guard who was on duty has been isolated while further investigation is underway.”
Dr RC Dixit, additional superintendent in charge of Bareilly district hospital, said the elderly man’s wife had been undergoing treatment for the past three days. According to him, the patient developed breathing difficulties on Friday, after which doctors referred her to a higher medical center on Saturday.
He said: “The man started taking his wife out of the hospital without informing the doctors or hospital workers.” Dr Dixit did not share any discharge slip or referral substantiating the health officials’ claim.
The elderly man claimed in the video that despite spending hours in the hospital, his wife was not admitted.
