Trouble at NRS Medical College and Hospital after 8-year-old girl dies

KOLKATA: Trouble erupted at NRS Medical College and Hospital on Friday late evening after a eight year old girl - Sneha Sarkar died allegedly after her oxygen mask was removed by the doctor treating the patient, claimed family members. Locals along with a section of agitated relatives tried to enter the pediatric ward leading to a face-off with the doctors and attendants. Sneha, the only daughter of Narayan Chandra Sarkar was a resident of Beliaghata and student of Class I in a English medium school.
Aparna, Sneha's grieving mother alleged on Saturday that her child was denied proper medical assistance and succumbed only after being refused to be administered oxygen. "Sneha was admitted on Thursday to the NRS Medical College and Hospital after we noticed considerable swelling in different parts of her body and face. She was also complaining of chest pain and continuously kept coughing which was accompanied with vomiting, multiple times. We presumed that my daughter was suffering from chest congestion," Aparna said. She added ruefully, "after we took her to hospital the doctors immediately admitted her. She was thereafter a patient in the pediatric ward. Sneha was prescribed a few medication which we diligently administered on time. However she kept complaining of chest pain and difficulty in respiring."
Mother of the deceased claimed that after seeing Sneha in extreme respiratory trouble, Narayan Chandra Sarkar went to find a doctor. "My husband failed to find anyone around and after meeting an on-duty nurse we pleaded her to allow us to provide Sneha with oxygen mask which she did. After administering oxygen, my daughter felt better. However, when a doctor came to visit the ward, he misbehaved with us and removed the oxygen mask. He also assured us after a chest check up that we had nothing to worry and the respiratory problem was temporary," Aparna claimed, wailing and crying all the while.
On Friday morning the pain refused to subside. But the family members of the 8-year old girl alleged that the doctors after initial pathological test reports assured both Aparna and Narayan that their daughter had no major ailment. "But, Sneha kept complaining of discomfort all the while and requested for oxygen which was flatly refused by the doctors. She didn't even sleep a minute since being admitted. My daughter was gradually becoming paranoid as the pain didn't subside. She also refused to sit up on her bed which the doctors advised. On Friday evening after another round of check-up, I forced her to sit up, holding her for assistance," Aparna added. Sneha's mother also tried to feed her as medicine couldn't have been administered otherwise.
"After consuming only a spoonful of rice, she collapsed in my arm. I frantically screamed for assistance. When the doctors arrived, they asked me to leave the ward. I told my husband who was waiting downstairs. When he met the doctors, we were informed about Sneha's demise," she said.
Sneha - the class I student was preparing to appear for her annual examinations beginning from February 14. "She was also a brilliant dancer. Now, I'm only left with her memories and no one to care for," wailed the Beliaghata home-maker.
The family has lodged an FIR at Entally police station against the alleged neglect by the doctors who they claimed refuse to allow oxygen mask to Sneha. Entally police station is probing into the case and sought a detailed report from the hospital.
"The patient's family has not lodged any complaint with the hospital authority. But, we have heard about the police complaint. If there is any requirement for any departmental enquiry it will be conducted," said doctor Dwaipayan Biswas, deputy medical superintendent of NRS medical college and hospital.