Ruckus in hospital as COVID-19 patient dies in doctors’ absence

SRINAGAR — It is a myth that health professionals are taking care of COVID-19 patients in Kashmir Valley. The reality, according to COVID-19 infected patients, is that they have been left on the mercy of God.

A COVID-19 infected patient died in Ward 3 of SMHS Hospital of Srinagar in absence of doctors today. When other COVID-19 positive patients raised hue and cry and sought help from the doctors to save the dying patient, nobody came forward till he breathed his last.

Eyewitnesses said that not a single doctor or nurse dares to visit them in their wards. “It is totally wrong to say that health professionals are taking care of COVID-19 patients. I am a COVID-19 patient and haven’t seen any doctor visiting the ward. We have been left on the mercy of God,” he said.

He added, “Family members and relatives of the deceased patient created ruckus in the Ward 3 after no doctor arrived in the ward to treat the dying patient. After his death, family members took his body, bundled him into a vehicle and left from Baramulla amid sloganeering,” he said.

Eyewitnesses said that after the death of the patient, a man in civvies accompanied by some doctors started shooting a video of the relatives, who were protesting against doctors. The agitated relatives thrashed that man and broke his cell phone.

“There is complete chaos in the hospital. Nobody dares to take care of COVID-19 patients. We get an untouchable treatment. Somebody please remind these doctors of their duties who are being painted as ‘messiahs’ by media,” the COVID-19 patient said.

Medical Superintendent SMHS Hospital, Dr Nazir Chowdary, said the body has been brought back and will be buried as per COVID-19 protocol.

When asked why doctors didn’t attend the dying patient, Dr Chowdary said that attendants can say anything. He refuted allegations leveled by family members of the deceased.