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Jalandhar civil hospital deaths: Probe on, more heads likely to roll, says health minister
The victims, including a 15-year-old snake-bite patient, a 32-year-old drug overdose victim, and a 30-year-old with a lung disease, died between 7.15 pm and 7.50 pm that day after the oxygen supply to the ICU was found to be inadequate
Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh visited the Jalandhar civil hospital on Thursday to assess the medical arrangements, particularly in the ICU and oxygen plant, following the deaths of three patients due to a disruption in oxygen supply on July 27.
The victims, including a 15-year-old snake-bite patient, a 32-year-old drug overdose victim, and a 30-year-old with a lung disease, died between 7.15 pm and 7.50 pm that day after the oxygen supply to the ICU was found to be inadequate.
Following a preliminary investigation that revealed gross negligence, the health minister announced that several top hospital officials had been suspended, including medical superintendent Dr Raj Kumar, senior medical officer Dr Surjit Singh and consultant anaesthesiologist Dr Sunakshi. Dr Shaminder Singh, the house surgeon, was also terminated immediately.
In his third visit to the hospital since the incident, the health minister assured the public that the investigation was ongoing, and more action could be taken. “This is a very serious matter, and we are conducting a thorough investigation. More heads may roll in the coming days,” he said, stressing that the probe would leave no stone unturned.
PCMSA representative to be part of probe panel
To ensure fairness in the inquiry, the minister confirmed that a representative from the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) would be included in the probe panel. “We are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders, including doctors and the victims’ families, are given a chance to present their statements,” he said.
The health minister also stated that the state government is considering providing training to all medical staff, including doctors, nurses and ward boys, to familiarise them with the operations of oxygen plants and the backup systems. “Everyone must know the oxygen flow process, from the source to the backup systems,” he said.
Regarding the post-mortem controversy, the minister explained that though he had wanted autopsies to be conducted, the victims’ families refused to provide written consent as required by law. “The bodies were handed over after the families declined to give written consent for post-mortem,” he said, adding that the government would extend all necessary support to the grieving families.
He also criticised opposition MLAs for politicising the incident. “Instead of pointing fingers, they should introspect on their own failures in strengthening healthcare infrastructure,” he remarked, questioning why functional oxygen plants and hotline systems were never ensured during the previous government’s tenure.
After his visit to Jalandhar, the health minister conducted a surprise inspection at the Nawanshahr civil hospital to further assess the state’s healthcare facilities.
