Mangaluru, March 26: A B Ibrahim, Deputy Commissioner of DK district has informed that ’Vajpayee Arogyasri’ scheme is temporarily suspended till the completion of the probe into the death cases of an elderly woman and a child, after undergoing angioplasty and open heart surgery, at Omega Hospital in Mangaluru.
Speaking after receiving memorandum from DHO Dr Ramakrishna and Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association DK unit President Dr Rajesh, opposing the attempt to assault DHO who had been to Panaje Primary Health Centre after the protest on March 25th, the DC said DHO should form a committee comprising Taluk Health officers, representatives from IMA and other associations to inquire the incident.
He sought autopsy report to determine the cause of death and also reports from the hospitals where surgery was conducted. Post surgery follow up should have been as per guidelines, and the hospital should ensure appropriate post surgical care, he said.
It may be recalled that a team of doctors from the hospital had conducted a checkup camp at Panaje PHC on March 10. The camp identified 27 persons suffering from cardiac ailments, of which nine had undergone angioplasty and a nine year old who had undergone open heart surgery died on the day of the surgery itself.
A woman named Poovakka, died on Tuesday, March 24th who had undergone surgery on March 13th and was discharged on March 18th. She developed complications and hence was readmitted to a hospital in Puttur where she expired. When her body was brought to Panaje Primary Health Centre, the locals gathered in large numbers and protested against the hospital. DHO Dr Ramakrishna along with District Aids Prevention and Control unit (DAPCU) Officer Dr Kishore rushed to the spot. The protestors who had gathered had attempted to assault DHO in rage. The police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
A protest was staged on March 25th by all the staff of health department by wearing black badges condemning the attempt to assault DHO.
DHO said that, already he has brought the issue of the two deaths to the notice of Suvarna Arogya Trust Deputy Director to be brought to the notice of the Director. The Trust has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing ’Vajpayee Arogyasri’ schemes. The Trust has been asked to send a team of experts to conduct an inquiry into the cause of death. Also another patient who had undergone surgery has developed swelling in hand.
Dr Rajesh, Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association DK unit President and district Surveillance Officer said that district health and family welfare officials are not involved directly in selecting beneficiaries and conducting surgeries. Hence, it is necessary to inquire on the incident. The health department officials have the responsibility of implementing the health schemes which the government initiates.
