Rats gnaw out the eye of a dead man in a Patna hospital; 2 nurses suspended

Latest update:November 17, 2024, 11:09 PM IST

The state’s health department, which initiated an investigation into the matter, suspended two nurses on Sunday night, alleging negligence on their part.

Family members alleged negligence and foul play, and some doctors suspected rats may have gnawed the eye. (Representative image)

The eye of a man who died of bullet wounds at a government hospital in Patna was found missing hours after his death. Doctors blamed rats for biting him, and family members of the deceased suspected foul play.

The state’s health department, which initiated an investigation into the matter, suspended two nurses on Sunday night, alleging negligence on their part.

Fantush Kumar, who was admitted to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna after he was shot at by unknown assailants on November 15, succumbed to his injuries on Friday evening.

His body was kept on a bed in the intensive care unit, as an autopsy could not be performed at night. An autopsy was performed on Saturday morning.

“When the body was brought from the mortuary, we noticed that the left eye was missing and a surgical blade was lying on a stretcher next to the body,” said a family member.

Family members alleged negligence and foul play, and some doctors suspected rats may have gnawed the eye.

Speaking to reporters, NMCH Medical Superintendent Binod Kumar Singh said, “A medical team has been constituted to look into the matter. This is a serious issue and strict action must be taken against those found guilty.” “A group of doctors suspects that rats may have gnawed the eye. All the circumstances of the incident are being investigated. We are also waiting for the autopsy report,” he said.

“How the eye was punctured will be known only after receiving the autopsy report. The hospital administration has also filed a formal complaint with the Alamganj police station in this regard,” said the medical superintendent.

Speaking to PTI on Sunday, Rajiv Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO), Alamganj Police Station said, “The case was registered on the basis of a formal complaint lodged by the hospital administration. We are studying the records of the hospital’s video surveillance cameras. We also asked for clarification from the doctors who conducted the post-mortem examination. Relatives of the deceased have not filed complaints so far.

Meanwhile, the state health department has suspended two nurses for alleged negligence on their part following the incident.

“While the matter is being investigated by a high-level committee as well as the police, based on preliminary findings, the department ordered the suspension of the two nurses who were on duty when the incident occurred. Suspended. due to negligence on the part of the nurses,” Health Minister Mangal Pandey told PTI.

The minister, however, refused to elaborate on the nature of the negligence allegedly committed by the nurses, saying that let the medical team as well as the police complete the investigation.

Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said, “Strong action will be taken against the culprits. The district administration is monitoring the situation.”

(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published from the syndicated news agency channel – PTI)