Their alleged negligence in treating a train accident victim 15 months ago has come back to haunt Sion hospital authorities. A report prepared to investigate the negligence has gone missing and responsible authorities are finding it difficult to reply. Chief information commissioner of the state, Ratnakar Gaikwad, has ordered the BMC commissioner to conduct an inquiry and take action against the hospital’s top management if the enclosures of report have really been destroyed.
In an order dated August 16, Mr Gaikwad also asked for the action taken report prepared by health activist Dr Suleman Merchant, to be furnished by September 6. The report is said to have exposed the doctors’ lethargic attitude towards the victim and suggested corrective measures.
Dr Rakesh Verma, assistant dean-cum-nodal PIO of Sion Hospital has also leveled serious allegations against then dean Dr Sandhya Kamat. In his affidavit submitted to the CIC, he has said that the report pertaining to the complaint about the delayed medical treatment to the accident victim, Deepak Sawant, has been lost in Dr Kamat’s custody. Dr Verma also accused Dr Kamat of failing to reimburse him for the `25,000 that he was penalised by the CIC. When The Asian Age contacted Dr Kamat, her deputy said she is on sick leave and won’t be able to comment.
The case pertains to the alleged medical negligence in the Mr Sawant’s case, which was taken up by human rights activist Samir Zaveri. He had filed an RTI to get a copy of Dr Merchant’s report but was informed by Dr Verma that it was missing. He then filed an appeal before Mr Gaikward who ordered a probe into the entire episode.