5-yr-old boy died at Dera Bassi civil hospital due to doctors’ negligence, says inquiry report

A week after a five-year-old boy died at the Dera Bassi civil hospital, the probe conducted by a three-member panel has reportedly indicted the doctors concerned

A week after a five-year-old boy died at the Dera Bassi civil hospital, the probe conducted by a three-member panel has reportedly indicted the doctors concerned for negligence.

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The boy, Shivam, was brought to the hospital on August 24 on complaining of vomiting and loose stools. The family alleged the doctors failed to attend to him properly leading to his death.

Punjab health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu had ordered a probe on August 26 after the family approached police.

Mohali civil surgeon, Manjit Singh, tasked a three-member panel comprising Mohali deputy medical commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Dera Bassi civil hospital senior medical officer Sangeeta Jain and paediatrician Dr Meghna with the inquiry.

“The probe is complete. I have submitted the report to the director, department of health and family welfare, Punjab. Now, the higher-ups will take the necessary action,” said the civil surgeon.

While Manjit Singh refrained from sharing its contents, a senior official privy to the development said: “The report has indicted the doctors for negligence in treating the patient properly.”

The official said the panel conducted a thorough inquiry, wherein statements of doctors and the family were recorded and CCTV footage was checked.

The family later took the boy to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, where he was declared brought dead.”