The panel report of doctors flagged ‘medical negligence’ in Punjab’s renowned bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman’s death at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar on October 9. Following this serious questions have been mounting on the hospital as the report alleges ‘serious lapses in the treatment’.
The hospital had claimed that Ghuman had died due to a heart attack, after which the family unsatisfied with the reasoning filed a complaint with the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner. Acting on the complaint, a seven-member committee was formed and its report has now been handed over to the Special Investigation Team.
According to the family of the victim, ‘serious deficiencies’ have been highlighted in the report. They claim that the ECG of the victim was not properly checked and that the report had clearly indicated that he should not have been given anesthesia. But the operation was nonetheless carried out. There was also an overdose during the operation and the medical observations were ignored, as per the report findings.
Following this, the hospital has issued a statement saying, “We are profoundly saddened by the demise of Mr. Varinder Singh Ghuman and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this time of immense grief.” The Hospital informs they have just received the enquiry report and are conducting a detailed review of its findings. The hospital further claims that, “we believe that the clinical team acted with diligence and in good faith, exercising their clinical judgment in the patient’s best interests.”
The hospital further assured that they would continue to cooperate with the authorities and will pursue appropriate remedies in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar said, “we are committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence, ethical practice and patient safety, which remain our foremost priority.”
