ICU Patient Found Dead on Hospital Verandah in Assam, Family Alleges Negligence
In a shocking incident at Nalbari Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Assam, a 66-year-old ICU patient was discovered dead on a hospital verandah on Wednesday morning. The discovery has sparked serious allegations of negligence from the patient's family and led to the lodging of a First Information Report (FIR) against eight on-duty hospital staff members.
Patient Details and Hospital Admission
The deceased has been identified as Keshab Malakar, a resident of Puspakpur in Nalbari town. According to hospital sources, Malakar had been admitted to the general intensive care unit (ICU) several days prior to the incident. He was suffering from a lung infection and low oxygen saturation levels, conditions that required critical medical attention.
Doctors at the facility reported that Malakar's condition had shown slight improvement in the days leading up to the incident. Medical staff had anticipated moving him out of the ICU on Wednesday, indicating a positive trajectory in his recovery before the tragic event unfolded.
Family Allegations and Police Response
Family members of the deceased have leveled serious accusations of "sheer negligence" against hospital security guards and nursing staff. They have demanded a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Malakar's death.
A relative revealed that the family first received information about Malakar's disappearance late Tuesday night when hospital staff informed them that he was missing from his ICU bed. This notification came hours before his body was discovered on the hospital verandah.
NMCH authorities took swift action by filing an FIR at the Ghagrapar police station against eight staff members, including:
- One doctor
- Two ward boys
- Five nurses
Madhab Rajbongshi, superintendent of NMCH, stated, "We lodged an FIR against the on-duty ICU staff who were responsible for looking after the patients. A police probe will hopefully unearth how the incident happened."
Investigation and Hospital Layout
Police authorities promptly arrived at the hospital and initiated an investigation, utilizing CCTV footage to piece together the events leading to Malakar's death. The Nalbari district administration has additionally ordered a magisterial inquiry to ensure a thorough examination of the incident.
A police source indicated that investigators are exploring multiple possibilities, including whether Malakar left the ICU through a door on his own or if "something else happened." Medical professionals noted that despite being under ICU care, the patient retained the ability to walk.
Hospital sources provided crucial details about the facility's layout: the general ICU is located on the sixth floor, while Malakar's body was found on the verandah of the fourth floor. This spatial separation raises significant questions about patient monitoring protocols.
On the night of the incident, twenty-six patients were admitted to the general ICU. Hospital authorities emphasized that the on-duty nurses had received training in critical care and were expected to maintain constant presence within the ICU to monitor patients.
Medical Examination Findings
A post-mortem examination was conducted following the discovery of Malakar's body. Preliminary findings from doctors revealed abdominal and chest injuries along with bone fractures. These injuries add complexity to the investigation as authorities work to determine their cause and timing relative to the patient's disappearance from the ICU.
The incident has raised serious concerns about patient safety protocols and staff accountability in healthcare facilities. As investigations continue, authorities face mounting pressure to provide answers to the grieving family and ensure such tragedies do not recur in the future.
