COVID patient dies few hours after fleeing hospital, Somaiya demands inquiry

Mumbai: The BJP on Saturday claimed that one more critical Covid-19 patient went missing from a hospital and his body was later found 200 meters away from the hospital. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said that a 50-year-old Covid-19 patient, who was on oxygen support, went missing from the civic-run Shastri Nagar Hospital on Thursday night.

The Dombivali resident was found dead on a pavement nearby a few hours later. Local residents recorded a video, which went viral on social media, of the man struggling to breathe, and said they called the authorities several times.

“By the time help arrived three hours later, the man was already dead,” says a man in the video.

However, the hospital authorities have claimed that they rushed to the spot as soon as they became aware of the video. On duty medical officer, on condition of anonymity said, ”We are trying our best to save their lives.There is a severe staff crunch but we are trying our best to cater the needs of patients."

Demanding an inquiry and strict action against the authorities, Mr Somaiya said that the Thackeray government needs to find a solution for such incidents. The incident has raised questions about how the patient could flee despite guards being posted at the hospital.