Language barrier did my husband in, alleges woman

P Pathiran’s family is inconsolable. The 55-year-old manager with Tuticorin Port Trust, who had come from Tamil Nadu on Tuesday evening to represent his state government in a case, was injured but alive when he was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Wednesday.

P Pathiran’s family is inconsolable. The 55-year-old manager with Tuticorin Port Trust, who had come from Tamil Nadu on Tuesday evening to represent his state government in a case, was injured but alive when he was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Wednesday.

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Pathiran, who was seriously injured in the legs, died on Thursday.

“My husband was complaining of chest pain even in the afternoon but no one paid any heed to him. Had we shifted him to a private hospital, he could have been saved,” said Vadiboo Rani, 48, Pathiran’s wife.

“He was not shifted to the ICU till the end. Equipment was brought to the room where he was placed but no ventilator support was given,”said Rani.

Family members also alleged that the language barrier (the family belongs to Tamil Nadu and cannot speak Hindi) widened the communication gap between them and the attending doctors.

“No one understood us and they didn’t even make an effort,” said a relative.

But the doctors, however, rubbished such allegations.

“There have been many allegations but there will be no end to grievances. Our team is giving its best. Sometimes, complications develop during or post surgery and those really cannot be prevented,”said Sunil Saxena, casualty medical officer at RML.