Infant dies due to dengue, family goes on a rampage in KEM hospital

Dengue death repeats itself in Mumbai days after a similar case of a young boy succumbing to the infection was reported in the capital city Delhi. Death due to dengue shock syndrome of a three-year-old boy in the city limits led to a ghastly fight between hospital doctors and relatives at KEM hospital following which resident doctors went on a strike in tertiary-care hospital Friday morning.

The young boy, Abu Sufian, resident of Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, was brought to the hospital at 11 pm on Thursday with non recordable pulse and blood pressure. According to a resident doctor, the family was immediately counseled about the critical condition of their child and non-availability of pediatric intensive care unit beds. “We had also taken high risk consent. Inspite of non availability of the ICU bed, relatives were ready to admit in general ward. All necessary medications were started,” said Dr Sagar Mundada, president of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors.At around 4 am, Sufian lapsed into a condition of dengue shock syndrome and succumbed to the vector-borne disease at 4.45 am Friday morning. Upset and angry over their son’s death father Mirazuddin Siddiqui called three relative who together allegedly picked up iron tables, wooden sticks and chairs and started beating the three resident doctors on duty.

An injured resident doctor after parents of deceased dengue boy get angry and go on a rampage. The three doctors posted in the pediatric ward, Dr Kushal Sharnagat, Dr Puneet Garg, and Dr Suhas Chaowdhary, sustained injuries on limbs and back and are currently undergoing treatment. According to the hospital sources, female security guards from Eagle firm stationed at the ward allegedly ran away after commotion in the ward scaled up.

Currently, the hospital’s dean, Dr Avinash Supe is at Bhoiwada Police station registering a first information report against the parents and assaulter.

The case, however, brings to light the poor medical facilities across the city for fighting dengue infection. The family had reportedly taken Sufian to a private doctor before deciding to visit KEM hospital in their final attempt. A doctor from the hospital said, “The boy was in a very bad condition. He had been vomiting since last three days.” Sufian was admitted in a general ward and given CPR and resuscitation soon after his condition worsened throughout the night.

A week ago, a seven year old Delhi boy succumbed to dengue fever after being turned down by seven private hospitals.

In Mumbai, the death toll due to the disease has touched four while close to 2,496 patients are on symptomatic treatment for dengue. Since January this year, 469 patients have tested positive for the ailment in the city.

Meanwhile, the doctors in the hospital are now demanding increased security and additional CCTV cameras for protection. The KEM hospital currently has 10 CCTV cameras and a security audit of the hospital claims 145 cameras have to be purchased for covering the entire premises. Currently there are 34 walkie-talkies with security personnel and 21 more are required, the report said.