18042024-LT-01.qxd 4/18/2024 12:34 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune 170 PARTICIPATE IN MARATHON ORGANISED BY NLCI AT SAHNEWAL FIRING OUTSIDE GURU NANAK KHALSA COLLEGE, 3 ARRESTED A STITCH IN TIME: ACTRESS DEEPIKA PADUKONE TAKES UP A NEW HOBBY A total of 170 participants, both men and women, below and above 40 years of age, participated in marathon at Sahnewal. P2 Preliminary probe into firing outside college reportedly indicated that goons were hired to gain control of the students’ union.P3 Deepika Padukone, expecting her first child with actor-husband Ranveer Singh, is exploring long & short-stitch embroidery.P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 20°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.57 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:54 AM THURSDAY | 18 APRIL 2024 | LUDHIANA Civil Surgeon recommends action against SMO, EMO for ‘negligence’, ‘insensitivity’ Nitin Jain Corpse on patient’s bed in emergency ward Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 17 The Civil Surgeon, Dr Jasbir Singh Aulakh, has recommended action against the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) in-charge, Dr Mandeep Kaur Sidhu, and the Emergency Medical Officer (EMO), Dr Manju Nahar, of Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital, here. The action has been sought after both senior doctors were indicted for “administrative negligence” and “insensitivity” in a prima facie inquiry conducted by Dr Aulakh on the order of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney. The DC had taken a suo motu cognisance of the media reports, wherein it was highlighted that a patient’s corpse was kept on the same bed where another alive patient was lying at the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital here on April 14. Taking note of the prima facie report, the DC has forwarded it to the Health Secretary for further action and issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for dealing with heavy rush and proper patient handling at all government hospitals and health centres in the district. “It may be ensured for future that such an incident is not repeated in any hospital or health centre,” the DC told the Civil Surgeon, while instructing that there must be proper sensitisation of health staff and even in case of heavy rush, doctor on round should ensure appropriate arrangements for patient handling. Sakshi told the Civil Surgeon to follow SOP especial, ly for dealing with cases where patient inflow was in excess of available beds. In a two-page inquiry report submitted to the DC, a copy of which is with The Tribune, the Civil Surgeon concluded that no specialist or consultant anaesthetist or medicine specialist or con- A patient (left) and a dead body lying on same bed in an emergency ward; (right) the Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. FILE PATIENT’S HOSPITAL ADMISSION HISTORY ■ April 9 at 8:40 am: Patient admitted to ■ April 14 at 8:05 am: A doctor noted the emergency ward of Civil Hospital ■ April 9: No doctor’s signature on admission slip or notes on patient’s file ■ April 9: Without any consultation or examination on record, the patient was diagnosed fracture/femur/COPD etc on preliminary admission notes ■ April 10, 11: No general duty or specialist doctor examined patient ■ April 12 at 9:20 am: Note written on file, “Patient is not on bed” ■ April 13 at 9 am: A doctor wrote on the patient’s file, but without signature patient’s blood pressure, heart rate and SPO2 and called for anaesthetist and medicine specialist, but again no signature on file ■ April 14 at 8:20 am: A resident doctor of the Anaesthesia Department examined patient ■ April 14 at 9 am: A resident doctor of the Medicine Department referred patient ■ April 14 at 11: 40 am: Patient died as no specialist or consultant anaesthetist or medicine specialist or consultant examined him ■ April 15: Civil Surgeon calls SMO for preliminary report wherein SMO informs verbally that corpse kept lying with another alive patient on the same bed from 11:40 am to 1: 40 pm for two hours ■ April 15: However, in a written preliminary inquiry report, the SMO mentioned that the corpse kept lying on the same bed with the patient alive for 37 minutes only ■ April 15: DC orders Civil Surgeon to conduct an inquiry, who submits report the same day, recommending action against the SMO and the EMO. ■ April 15: DC forwards report to the Health Secretary and issues SOP for all hospitals and health centres CIVIL SURGEON ASKS SMO TO SUBMIT FOOTAGE OF CCTV CAMERAS Civil Surgeon Dr Jasbir Singh Aulakh has asked Senior Medical Officer in-charge of Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital Dr Mandeep Kaur Sidhu to submit CCTV camera footage and record of her rounds in hospital wards from April 1 to 15. sultant examined the patient during his stay in the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital for six days following which his condition kept deteriorating and he died at 11:40 am on April 14. “From the above facts, the undersigned has reached a conclusion that this all was result of the administrative negligence on part of Civil Hospital SMO in-charge Dr Mandeep Kaur Sidhu, who according to records was never on round of wards between April 9 and 14,” the Civil Surgeon reported. Dr Aulakh also indicted EMO Dr Manju Nahar for “insensitivity” in the case. “If in any case, two patients are forced to share a single bed, at least an alive patient should have been shifted to another bed when the condition of another patient, with whom he was sharing the bed, had turned serious and he later died so that an alive patient could have been saved from the mental trauma that he faced while sharing bed with the corpse,” he observed, while stating that it proved the insensitivity of EMO Dr Manju Nahar, who was on duty. Picking holes in contradictory statements given by the SMO in the case, the Civil Surgeon reported that on being called by him on April 15 to seek preliminary report in the case, SMO Dr Man- deep Kaur Sidhu brought along EMO Dr Manju Nahar, staff nurse and a Class IV employee to his office to inform him verbally that the patient had died at 11:40 am and was shifted to the mortuary at 1:40 pm on April 14, which proved that the corpse kept lying in the emergency ward for two hours. The same information was shared by Dr Aulakh with the DC and the Director, Health and Family Welfare, through WhatsApp messages. However, in a written preliminary inquiry report submitted by the SMO to the Civil Surgeon, it was mentioned that the corpse was shifted to the mortuary at 12:17 pm on April 14. In his prima facie report, the Civil Surgeon also brought on record that neither on the admission slip nor on notes made on the patient’s file, there were any signature of any doctor nor was any date mentioned. Moreover, Dr Aulakh reported that following admission of the patient at 8:40 am on April 9, some X-rays, CT scan of head, and some other clinical tests were advised on the file, which were never conducted. “On the preliminary admission notes, the patient was advised orthopaedic consultation, which was never done, while on his referral slip, fracture/femur/ COPD etc were Continued on page 2 Man hit by roadways bus dies Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 17 A man died after a Punjab Roadways bus rammed into him after brakes of the vehicle allegedly failed last night near bus stand here. The deceased has been identified as Harkamal Singh, a resident of Moga. The bus driver was arrested by the police. As per information, bus was coming from Chandigarh and was to enter the Ludhiana bus stand. Harkamal along with his brother had come to the DMCH to buy some medicines last night. Both were standing near the bus stand. While bus was heading towards bus stand, its brakes allegedly failed and the vehicle hit Harkamal. The victim suffered serious injuries and was shifted to a nearby hospital where he died during treatment. A Punjab Roadways bus which hit a pedestrian after its brakes "failed" near bus stand in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO Kochar Market police post incharge Dharampal Chaudhary said bus driver Balbir Singh was arrested immediately from the accident spot. He was also booked on the charge of causing death due to negligence. Bus driver told mediapersons that after brakes of the bus failed while he was coming down the bridge, he tried to raise an alarm so that people standing on the Chennai man dupes city bizman of ~40.68 lakh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 17 A businessman from Chennai (Tamil Nadu) duped a city-based businessmen of Rs 40.68 lakh. The suspect after receiving delivery of stock worth lakhs refused to make payment. After three months probe, the Division No. 6 police registered a case against the suspect yesterday. The suspect has been identified as Ajith P Rao, a resident of GK Industrial Estate, Chennai (Tamil Nadu). He is owner of the firm Aartahi Engineers. Complainant Tarun Kumar, owner of Balbir Kumar Tarun Kumar Steel Traders, Industrial Area B, said he had lodged a complaint on January 20, 2024, with the Ludhiana police and after probe, a case was registered against the suspect. Tarun stated that Ajith had been buying steel and iron products from his firm for a long time. Initially, the suspect continued to make payment for products and gained confidence of being a loyal businessman, but he didn’t pay for the last order worth Rs 40.68 lakh. When the suspect was repeatedly pressurised to pay, he issued a part payment cheque of Rs 33.32 lakh. However, when the same cheque was presented in a bank for encashment, it bounced because the suspect’s signature didn’t match with records in the bank. Tarun demanded that the police should arrest the suspect who committed a fraud in a well-planned conspiracy and his money be returned. Investigating officer ASI Dilbagh Rai said after registering a case, further investigation was launched by the police. road could save themselves, but unfortunately the bus rammed into one pedestrian. He claimed, “I hit an autorickshaw to reduce the bus speed, but in vain. I am not at fault. Brake failure caused the accident.” He said when people surrounded him after the accident, some miscreants stole his mobile phone and wallet. Robberyaccused escapes from police custody Ludhiana, April 17 A snatcher fled from the police custody outside the court premises on Tuesday. The incident happened when a cop removed handcuffs of the robbery accused to present him in the court. A case was registered against accused identified as Rahul Kumar, a resident of Mundian Kalan. Sub-inspector Harjinder Kumar said he was posted on a general duty at the Police Lines. On April 16, 2024, Rahul Kumar came to appear in a court in a robbery case registered at the Jamalpur police station in January this year. Outside the court, as soon as constable Harkirat Singh accompanying Rahul removed his handcuffs, the latter pushed him and escaped from the court complex. The security personnel of the court complex and other policemen tried to find Rahul, but he escaped taking advantage of the crowd. ASI Navkiranjit Singh said raids were on at suspected hideouts of the accused. —TNS Two peddlers arrested Residents continue to face wrath of stray canines City-based doctor booked for charging patient without with 760 gram heroin Over 98,000 dogs sterilised in nine years Harshraj Singh Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 17 The special task force (STF) has arrested two smugglers and recovered 760 gram of heroin from their possession. The arrested suspects have been identified as Neeraj Kumar, a resident of New Shimlapuri, and Rajinder Singh, alias Gora, a resident of Mehmudpur. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against the duo. In a joint statement, Ajay Kumar, DSP STF and Har, , bans Singh, inspector, STF , stated that secret information was received that Neeraj was into drug smuggling trade and he had to deliver heroin to his clients on the Gill road. They said as per tip-off, the suspect was to use scooter (bearing registration No. PB10JH9223) to deliver heroin. They said a naka was laid at a strategic place where after intercepting the scooter, it was stopped for checking. During checking, 760 gram of heroin was recovered from scooter’s storage compartment. They said during questioning of Neeraj, he named Rajinder Singh as his close ❝ A naka was laid at a strategic place where after intercepting the scooter, it was stopped for checking. During checking, 760 gram of heroin was recovered from scooter's storage compartment. ❞ STF officials aide. After nominating Rajinder in the case, he was also arrested by the STF . During preliminary probe, Neeraj admitted that he was into heroin smuggling trade for a long time and had come out on bail three months ago. Rajinder admitted that he was also facing a case registered by the Mansa police in 2022 and had helped Tinu, a close aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, to flee from the police custody. Apart from this, Rajinder was also facing one drug smuggling case in which he came out on bail around four months ago. STF officials said investigation was in progress to bust the entire drug supply line. Ludhiana, April 17 Although nine years have passed since the commencement of the stray dog sterilisation project, reports of canine bites continue to pour in from different areas of the industrial town. Residents have blamed the Central and state governments for failing to take concrete measures to prevent dog bite incidents. Residents of Gandhi Colony, Gurcharan Park, Model Gram, and adjacent areas near Kochar Market are concerned about the menace in their localities. The situation is similar in many parts of the city. Residents claimed that many individuals had fallen victim to dog attacks. Furthermore, they alleged that dogs frequently chased cyclists and bikeborne persons, increasing the risk of accidents. Jagdeep Singh Jugnu of Gandhi Colony said, “The population of strays has increased considerably in our area compared to past years despite sterilisation of dogs. There is no relief as many persons have been bitten by dogs. We have raised the issue multiple times with the removing kidney stones Tribune News Service Stray dogs roam freely in Gandhi Colony, Gurcharan Park and areas near Kochar Market. INDERJEET VERMA authorities concerned in the past, but to no avail. Dogs usually chase cyclists and bike riders. We appeal to the Central and state governments and the municipal corporation to take steps to prevent dog bite incidents.” Priyanka, another resident of the same colony, said a stray dog had attacked her four-year-old niece yesterday during which her clothes were torn. Luckily, she was not bitten as persons standing nearby immediately rescued her, she said. Ashok Singh of Gurcharan Park near Kochar Market Chowki said, “I was recently attacked by a stray c m y b dog. I had to undergo an anti-rabies vaccination course. When people go for a morning walk or return from work at night, stray dogs usually attempt to attack them. Many persons have been bitten in the area near Kochar Market Chowki. The authorities concerned must take action to prevent stray dog bite incidents.” Gurdeep Singh of the Model Gram area said, “We want the municipal corporation and the government to take the matter seriously and find a solution to prevent dog bite incidents.” The municipal corporation (MC) had launched a project to sterilise stray dogs in February 2015. According to information, over 98,000 stray dogs have been sterilised so far. Data obtained from the MC office reveals that the civic body sterilised 51,583 stray dogs from February 2015 to June 2021. MC Health Officer Dr Vipul Malhotra said 47,000 stray dogs were sterilised by the current contractor from June 2021 till date. He said the sterilisation project had been extended till June 2024. Regarding the stray dog bite incidents, he said they would look into the matter and take steps as per the law. Ludhiana, April 17 The Sadar police yesterday registered a case against a surgeon for charging hefty amount from a patient without removing kidney stones. The booked suspect has been identified as Dr Harpreet Singh Jolly, a resident of Phase III, Dugri. Complainant Rajni Khanna, a resident of Rajguru Nagar, told the police that her husband had some health issues. During his medical check-up, kidney stones were detected. Her husband consulted Dr Jolly who assured that he would offer the best treatment by doing the required surgery. Later, her husband was taken to hospital of the suspect for removing kidney stones. However, doctor let her husband go in a short time. The patient’s wife revealed that later her husband’s arms and legs faced some serious issues following which he was admitted to the DMCH for further treatment. After her husband spent almost 10 days in the DMCH, Dr Jolly again admitted him to his hospital. Dr Jolly kept the patient at his hospital for around a month. “Dr Jolly prepared a total bill of Rs 2.25 lakh, but after request, he agreed to take Rs 1.50 lakh. After getting discharge from Dr Jolly’s hospital, my husband again faced severe pain in his abdomen. During medical check-up, stones were again detected in his kidney. Then we realised that Dr Jolly had not removed kidney stones. We then approached the Civil Surgeon, who formed a panel, which held Dr Jolly responsible for the poor health condition of my husband. We also lodged complaint with the police after which and FIR was registered against Dr Jolly,” patient’s wife alleged. The woman also alleged that the doctor managed to get claim from their health insurance company. Dr Harpreet Singh Jolly termed the allegations levelled against him as false.
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