Patient dies at McGann Hospital entrance, waiting for stretcher; relatives allege negligence of staff

Relatives of a 60-year-old stroke patient have accused the staff of McGann Hospital, the teaching hospital in Shivamogga, of negligence after he died on Monday while waiting at the entrance for a stretcher.

Karibasappa of Muduvala, near Harnahalli in Shivamogga taluk, suffered a stroke a few days ago and was under treatment. Early on Monday, he developed complications. On the advice of a doctor at Harnahalli, the relatives took him to McGann Hospital in a private vehicle without waiting for an ambulance.

On reaching the hospital, the security staff stopped them and asked them to wait as a stretcher was not readily available. The relatives said they insisted on carrying him in themselves, but the staff did not allow it.

Jagadish, a resident of Muduvala, said the patient was made to wait for nearly half an hour and was dead by then. “If the staff had allowed him inside and he had received emergency care, he would have survived,” he said. The relatives argued with the staff after the death and held them responsible.

Medical Superintendent T.D. Thimmappa told The Hindu that a team of officials would inquire into the allegations. “We will find out if there were any lapses on the part of the staff and take appropriate action. Our concern is that patients should receive timely treatment,” he said.