SHILLONG, MAY 13: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the cardiology department of NEIGRIHMS to file an affidavit on the reason that led to the recent passing away of a 55-year-old patient.
It has also directed the medical superintendent of the institute to ensure supply of requisite items to the cardiology department without fail in view that 19 patients are waiting for surgery.
The order was passed by the division bench comprising of the Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice HS Thangkhiew on Monday while hearing a PIL against North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).
“The head of cardiology department shall file an affidavit wherein in a chronological manner it must be stated as to how the patient was taken care of from 05-05-2019 when she was admitted in the cardiology department right up to her death with supporting proof,” it said.
The bench also expressed that it is quite unfortunate that in the process of working out a lasting solution to the problem and to meet urgent surgeries, nothing positive has been done.
“…as a result a 55-year-old lady lost her life who had developed complicacies for want of immediate surgical intervention, that too according to the cardiology department for lack of surgical items,” it said adding “…we shall have to see as to who has been negligent, both sides blame each other.”
The bench further directed the HoD cardiology Dr Animesh Mishra to file another affidavit as to whether the decisions taken in the high level meeting headed by the additional chief secretary on May 9, were followed in letter and spirit.
Similarly, the Amrit pharmacy, which has been arrayed as a party respondent, was also asked to file an affidavit on whether it has followed the decisions taken in the said meeting.
The NEIGRIHMS administration is also directed to file its response on or before May 16.
Dr Mishra, HoD cardiology has informed the Court that at present 19 patients are waiting for surgery and requisite items are to be made available from today so that the cardiology department will be able to perform surgeries.
On this, the bench while asking the HoD to send the requisition whatever needed to the medical superintendent today said, “Thereafter medical superintendent shall ensure supply of those articles without fail.”
Earlier, the bench while taking serious note on the postponement of surgeries in the cardiology department has directed the Director and HoD cardiology to work out a working forumula so that patient care will not suffer in its order passed on May 8.
Furthermore, it was also directed that a meeting shall be held under the chairmanship of additional chief secretary for a long term solution to all issues and immediate decision regarding emergency surgeries.
During the high level meeting headed by the additional chief secretary RV Suchiang on May 9, the HoD cardiology informed that they had requested for stents, pacemakers and accessories and surgical equipment with all specifications to NEIGRIHMS from time to time.
The representative from Amrit pharmacy informed that whatever stents and other accessories already in stock it would be made available immediately to the department. For other accessories she assured that after getting the requisition they would be able to make available the surgical items and kits within 4-5 hours on emergency.
AMRIT store also assured that for other indents also they would try to get the surgical equipment and accessories by 3 days.
However in the hearing today, the HoD cardiology made it clear that infact no actual surgery was performed, however, only diagnostic emergency was carried out.
It was also informed that Amrit pharmacy did not provide the stock required and even though Amrit representative had assured for making available the surgical items and kits within 4-5 hours, that too has not happened in support whereof a letter was sent wherein the technical staff has made clear as to how items were not supplied, as a result surgeries were totally hampered.
By Our Reporter
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