Families of riot victims blame negligence from hospitals

New Delhi: Numerous families in north-east Delhi has alleged medical negligence by hospitals during the riots, which they said had resulted in the death of their loved ones. Ram Sawroop sat in his modest house situated in Ghonda Village. The area was affected by heavy violence that took away the life of his son. With tears in his eyes, 62-year-old Sawroop, keeps chanting his son Naresh Saini's name. "We were in our house when hundreds of people surrounded our colony. They had swords and pistols, which is why men of the house went outside for self-defense and save their families," said Saini's mother.

According to the family, the mob had covered their heads and face, which is why nobody could recognise who the accused were. "They shot my son in the stomach and he fell down," said Sawroop. Saini's family said that the incident took place on February 24 at 11 p.m. "We immediately took him to Jag Pravesh Hospital, where the doctors put some bandage on him and asked us to visit Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital," said Mr. Sawroop.

The family has alleged that the bullet was inside Saini's body and they were not told by the doctors about it. "It was when we reached GTB, doctors informed that he has a bullet inside his stomach," cried the father. He added that his son would be alive if the doctors were more vigilant. "He died because the bullet was removed on time. For about eight to ten hours he had the bullet inside his body. He died because of this," said the grieving father. Saini who owned a vegetable business in the area, has left behind two children and a wife.

GTB Hospital had been tending to all the victims that started pouring in since February 23. However, in the aftermath of violence many people have alleged hospital's negligence in attending the riot victims, which many say led to the death of their loved ones.

In Babarpur's Kabir Nagar, the family of 27-year-old Ishtiyak Khan's family is mourning. Father of a two, Khan was out trying to save his family when the mob attacked their area. "They came with pistols and stones in their hands. We saw police standing and doing nothing," said Arif, Khan's neighbour, and best friend.

The residents have blamed the government and also blamed the hospital for negligence. "We took Ishtiyak to GTB somehow, as no ambulance was coming and on reaching the hospital, the doctor asked us to sit aside, while Ishtiyak took his last breath," said Arif.

Meanwhile, many families have alleged that GTB was not equipped with handling the situation, where a mere X-Ray scan was taking time and in some cases not working. "Those who could afford private hospital went there, but we have to stay here only," Adil a victim's brother had said.

The death toll in Delhi violence stands at 53, where 44 are said to have died at GTB hospital, 5 at RML hospital, 3 at LNJP hospital and one at Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital.

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