Srinagar family alleges medical negligence in death of Dalgate man at Paras Hospital

SRINAGAR — A man from the Dalgate area of Srinagar died at Paras Hospital here, with family members and relatives alleging medical negligence.

The family of Gulzar Ahmad, the deceased, told the news agency KNO that they had taken him to Paras Hospital for bypass surgery after doctors assured them that the procedure had a 98 percent survival rate.

“After the surgery, the doctors initially informed us that Ahmad was fine, but later said his condition had deteriorated and required an additional procedure costing Rs 3 lakh,” the family members said.

They further alleged that they sold their ornaments and other belongings to raise money for the additional procedure, only to be informed later that Ahmad had died. “Had we known the full risks, we would have sought treatment outside Kashmir,” the furious family said.

They are now demanding a thorough investigation into the case and the return of the approximately Rs 6 lakh they claim was taken by the hospital authorities.

“We are raising our voices because this incident happened with us today, but it could happen to anyone tomorrow,” the family said.

The authorities at Paras Hospital said they had counselled the family about the critical and high-risk nature of the surgery.

An official from the hospital said, “Mr Gulzar Ahmed Sheikh, aged 46 years, who was brought to Paras Hospital, Srinagar on July 16 from another hospital in a critical condition, passed away today due to cardiac arrest.”

He said that after clinical evaluations, the patient underwent bypass surgery, and his family was kept informed throughout the process. “Despite the best efforts of our medical team, Mr Gulzar Ahmed’s condition deteriorated as he was a high-risk patient and succumbed to cardiac arrest,” the official said.

The hospital said its team of senior doctors and surgeons made every effort to save Ahmed. It extended its “deepest sympathies” to the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Srinagar has requested the Principal of GMC Srinagar to depute a cardiologist to Paras Hospital to conduct a detailed inquiry into the patient’s death.

The communique from the CMO reads, “Subsequent to the death of a patient in the cardiology department at Paras Hospital Sonwar, it is requested that one cardiologist may kindly be deputed tomorrow at 10:00 am to facilitate a detailed inquiry regarding the death of the patient.”