Medical negligence in Erode GH: Two contract employees suspended

Two contract employees of the district hospital who failed to fulfill their duty to ensure the availability of stretchers and wheelchairs for patients were suspended.

The move came after Deputy Director of Health Services Ambika Shanmugam conducted an inquiry into the hospital staff on May 29 and submitted a detailed report to District Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara recommending action against staff members Prakash and Muthusamy. Besides, Mythili, an emergency department staff member, was shifted to the government hospital in Bhavani.

Viral video

On May 27, 80-year-old P. Sorna of Periyavalasu was hit by a car and injured her leg. Her daughter Valarmathi took her to the hospital, where neither a stretcher nor a wheelchair was available. Hence, she carried her injured mother in her arms to the Accident and Emergency Department where she was treated. A visitor filmed the incident and shared it on social media, following which the deputy director sent memos to the hospital superintendent and the senior doctor seeking explanations.

The Minister of Justice also conducted investigations and submitted a report to the tax collector, based on which action was taken. Following the incident, hospital staff were asked to ensure the availability of stretchers and wheelchairs for patients on site 24 hours a day.