Woman forced to spend final days in wheelchairs due to lack of beds, family pleads for assistance in vain
Neetu Rajasth
The family of a 61-year-old woman from Ulhasnagar filed a complaint with the authorities of King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEM), contending that despite the patient receiving adequate medical treatment, the support staff failed to assist her during her four-day stay. Two of those days were spent in a wheelchair due to the unavailability of a bed. This lack of assistance from ward attendants caused distress for both the patient and her relatives, particularly in her final moments before succumbing to her illness on November 7.
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Neetu Rajasth, the woman in question, was rushed to KEM from the SR Mehta & Sir KP Cardiac Institute in Sion after the latter declined to perform a heart valve operation, citing her weakened state. Upon arrival at the KEM cardiac centre, it was discovered that liquid had accumulated in her lungs, requiring immediate attention before any operation.
Initially unable to secure a bed at KEM due to unavailability, Neetu had to remain in a wheelchair at the hospital’s casualty ward for two days until the family arranged a stretcher. Despite the hospital providing medication, the ward staff allegedly refused assistance, ignoring the family’s pleas. Eventually, on the fourth day, Neetu was placed in a general ward and later put on a ventilator as her condition deteriorated. Kamini, Neetu’s relative who was present at the hospital in her final days, said, “We have no complaints against the medical side of it, but for four days, I was left to navigate everything alone without support from the hospital.”
According to KEM’s annual report, the hospital has 2,500 scheduled beds, witnessed 67,399 admissions last year (averaging 185 daily), and conducted approximately 65,000 operations annually, including 33,000 major procedures and 32,568 minor ones. Its death rate stands at 11 per cent.
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“We cannot deny treatment to anybody,” said Dr Rawat, emphasising that the support staff performs to the best of their ability. The outpatient department at KEM attends to around 2,000 new patients and 3,000 returning patients daily. Six of its wards are currently undergoing renovation, with an additional 420 patient capacity expected upon completion in the next 24 months. Additional Commissioner (Health) Dr Sudhakar Shinde said, “That is our high priority and expected to be completed in 24 months. I have instructed the BMC’s hospital infrastructure committee to prioritise the completion of two wards to make them available for people,” noting that these two wards are likely to be completed within six months.
Similar to Neetu’s family, a patient who underwent treatment for kidney issues at BYL Nair hospital a couple of months ago reported receiving satisfactory medical treatment but criticised the ward attendants for their ignorance in additional caregiving. “Nobody cleaned us or assisted us in reaching downstairs for tests. Someone’s urine bag tore, nobody even came to clean that up, and I saw the family do it,” said the patient,. Dr Shinde responded, “We take serious note of such issues when it comes to our attention or if someone complains.”
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