Family members agitate at CNMCH after minor's death

KOLKATA: Tension erupted at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMCH) on late Sunday night following the death of a two-and-a-half-year old girl whose family members allege medical negligence.

Following the news, the family members of the victim ransacked a portion of the hospital and broke the windowpanes of the emergency ward. A heated altercation broke out between the deceased's relatives and hospital staff members. A huge contingent of police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. A police picket was set up to check further spread of violence. The incident also triggered tension among the patients who are undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Police said Jannat Bibi, a resident of Chitpur, brought her two-and-a-half-year old daughter to CNMCH on Friday after she complained of serious respiratory distress. After examining her, the doctors informed her parents that she was suffering from congestion. The girl was kept under oxygen support as she was suffering from persistent respiratory problems.

According to hospital sources, the baby died of heart attack on Sunday night despite giving her treatment. As the news spread, the family members of the patient became agitated and started ransacking a portion of the hospital. Some of their relatives reached the hospital and carried out rampage. Some of the staff members of the hospital were heckled by the mob.

Soon, police reached the spot and pacified the mob. The demonstration was also lifted following assurances from the senior police officers. None has been arrested in this connection so far.

A senior official of the CNMCH said the matter would be looked into once the family members of the victim register a complaint against the hospital authorities.