2 docs suspended at Trauma Centre

Opposition BJP wants cases to be filed against Dikshit, A K Walia

Delhi's health minister Dr A K Walia on Thursday shunted out Dr Vikas Rampal, in charge of Sushruta Trauma Centre, two days after four people died there due to lack of oxygen in ICU.

Anshuman, the medical officer (in charge, repair and maintenance) at the Trauma Centre has also been suspended apart from two junior specialists, deployed to look after anaesthesia process, Teena Khurana and Richa Gupta who got terminated. The orders came after the probe panel constituted by Delhi government submitted its report.

 “We have also terminated the contract of the private entity which was maintaining the oxygen supply system in the hospital.

The department has been instructed to deploy efficient and experienced junior specialists in Trauma Centre immediately,” said Dr Walia following the report submitted by committee headed by the special secretary (health).

Four patients died on Tuesday at Sushruta Trauma Centre after abrupt suspension of oxygen being supplied to the patients at ICU. Fifth person died there on Wednesday while his relatives blame the same reason for  his death too. 

An FIR has already been registered with the police against the delinquent contractor and directions have been issued to initiate cancellation of the contract. Two persons have also been arrested.

The process of black listing the contractor is also being initiated, informs Dr Walia. It may be recalled that Dr Walia has constituted a four-member committee with an aim to carry out an overall review and strengthen the critical area in all Delhi government
hospitals. 

Dr Walia stated that his department has been asked to carry out random inspections to spot deficiencies (if any) in the system.

Meanwhile, BJP Delhi Pradesh President  Vijender Gupta on Thursday announced that BJP Delhi will stage a demonstration at Sushruta Trauma Centre on Friday demanding judicial inquiry into five deaths due to disruption of oxygen supply to the patients.

Demanding a case of criminal negligence to be lodged against the hospital’s senior officers, Delhi chief minister Shiela Dikshit and health minister Dr A K Walia, Gupta warned that if Delhi government tries to suppress the case, the saffron party will intensify its movement.

“In place of instituting impartial and high-level (judicial) inquiry in the case of gross negligence, Delhi government has (only) ordered a departmental inquiry. It is obvious that the government wants to cover up its negligence,” said Gupta.