19-year-old dies of suspected dengue, family alleges negligence

A 19-year-old boy died of suspected dengue on Tuesday morning at the Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Gurgaon. His family has filed a complaint with the police claiming negligence on the part of the hospital.

A 19-year-old boy died of suspected dengue on Tuesday morning at the Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Gurgaon. His family has filed a complaint with the police claiming negligence on the part of the hospital.

The total number of dengue cases reported this year from Gurgaon has been the highest in four years — 380 with no confirmed death. (Photo for representation/Shutterstock)

The total number of dengue cases reported this year from Gurgaon has been the highest in four years — 380 with no confirmed death.

The boy’s family told the police that he was admitted to the hospital and had been suffering from high fever for the past few days. But, the medical superintendent of the hospital said the boy was dead when he was brought to the hospital.

“The patient was brought dead to the hospital early Tuesday. We have reported it as a medico-legal case and have not confirmed if it as a dengue death,” Dr Kayam Singh, medical superintendent of ESIC Hospital, said.

The health department, too, has not confirmed if the boy, a resident of Kherki Daula, had contracted dengue. Dr VK Thapar, district malaria officer, said no reports of the suspected dengue death have been received and the department will seek a report from the hospital.

“We have started investigating to know if the boy died of unnatural causes,” ASI Surrender, Kherki Daula police station, said.