MUMBAI: The Vakola police have filed a case against 27 unknown persons for allegedly attacking medical staff at the BMc-run V N Desai Hospital in Santacruz East on Monday. The incident occurred after a patient, Archana, delivered a baby boy on Nov 7, and both succumbed to death four days post-delivery on Monday.
On learning about the deaths, the deceased's family members and friends gathered at the facility assaulted the medical personnel. The Vakola police are gathering CCTV evidence to identify the assailants.
Police said the hospital reports indicate that the patient was hospitalised six weeks prior in the emergency department due to poor health. Following a caesarean procedure last Thursday, the newborn showed no vital signs and was immediately transferred to the NICU. Unfortunately, neither the mother nor the child survived and succumbed on Monday. In the FIR, Dr Mahika Shetty stated, "The patient, Archana, was admitted to V N Desai Hospital a month and a half ago. I, along with four other doctors, was providing treatment to her. We regularly informed the relatives about the child's health after birth, indicating that his condition was not improving. The family's consent was also obtained before performing the caesarean." Dr Shetty reported that at 1pm, 27 relatives assembled outside the ICU, refusing to collect the deceased despite completion of formalities.
"Two women relatives of the deceased attacked a nurse when access to the ICU was restricted. When I intervened the relatives became violent, with one woman grabbing my throat whilst others struck on my face and hands. Although staff intervened to protect me, a nurse sustained injuries from a broken bangle. The relatives subsequently confronted the medical superintendent, subjecting him to verbal and physical abuse, disrupting hospital operations," she said in the FIR. According to police officials, hospital records indicated that the patient had poor nutritional care during pregnancy. Her haemoglobin level was low at 7.5 , resulting in her emergency admission six weeks earlier.
The 27 people were booked under Section 4 of the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act and under the BNS sections for Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty, unlawful assembly, and rioting.
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