Patient dies in 6-hr wait for ambulance

Doctor advised shifting him to Max, vehicle with ventilator didnt turn up

A 25-year-old man, suffering from meningitis, died in a private hospital on Wednesday while his family tried for over six hours to get a ventilator-equipped ambulance which could shift him to another hospital.

Sonu, alias Vikram, a Budh Vihar resident, was admitted to Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, Madhuban Chowk on Monday evening. He suffered from meningitis and multiple tuberculoma. 

Deteriorating condition

On Wednesday, he was put on ventilator for life-support as his condition deteriorated. The treating doctor asked him to be shifted to another hospital.

“Blood-gas analyses has to be conducted frequently when a patient is on ventilator. We don’t have that facility and hence, wanted to shift him to a hospital where analyses could be carried out. His family members were also keen on taking him to Max Hospital,” said Dr Vijay K, Vikram’s treating doctor.

The ordeal for the family started from 12 pm. 

They needed an ambulance with a ventilator to shift Vikram to Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh which is two kilometres from Bhagwan Mahavir.

Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital did not arrange the ambulance. The hospital had charged Rs 10,000 in advance. 

Though the status of patient was changed from general to the economically weaker section (EWS) category the next day - after production of a below poverty line (BPL) card - the money was not returned.

“When they had Rs 10,000 from the patient, why couldn’t they arrange for the ambulance?” said advocate Khagesh Jha, who is following the case.

Jha’s organisation, Social Jurist, called the emergency number for ambulance, given by the government.

“They replied ‘all our drivers left at 4 pm’,” said Jha. No ambulance could be availed from Max Hospital too. 

Govt ambulance came late

A government ambulance arrived late in the evening, but with a non-functioning ventilator and hence could not be used.

Waiting for an ambulance, on a ventilator, Vikram collapsed at 7.45 pm. “It is appalling that in the capital of the country a young life was lost due to non-availability of an ambulance to cover two kilometres,” said Jha.

Max Hospital told Deccan Herald, “On being contacted, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh immediately agreed to admit the patient for treatment; we requested that the patient be brought to the hospital since the ambulance was not available at the premises.”