Kin allege medical negligence in cabbie's death

A 32-year-old cab driver, who was admitted to a private hospital after he complained of stomach ache, died under mysterious circumstances in the early hours of Monday. His family blamed medical negligence for his death.

Vinod, a resident of Cox Town, was taken to a private hospital, Divine ENT and Medical Centre, in Frazer Town on Sunday evening after he complained of severe stomach ache and vomiting. But the doctor there advised his family to take him to a hospital with better facilities. The family, however, insisted that he himself treat Vinod as he had acute pain, police said.

The doctor administered Vinod an injection but his pulse dropped. Then the doctor himself, along with Vinod’s  family members, took him to another private hospital which declared him brought dead.
Later, however, the patient’s relatives and friends gathered outside the Divine ENT and Medical Centre, alleging that Vinod had died due to medical negligence.

The police too rushed to the hospital and tried to pacify the family members.

The family later told the police that Vinod was fine till Sunday afternoon when he consumed liquor and ate meat. He then went to sleep. At 5 pm, he began vomiting and complained of stomach ache. Police have registered a case of medical negligence for the time being.