Mangaluru, December 12: A woman patient and her son who had gone to Wenlock hospital in Mangaluru for treatment were sent away and allegedly assaulted by duty doctor on Saturday December 12th and the issue was settled after the police intervened.
It is said, a woman named Sarojamma from Moodbidri, suffering from acute diabetes and had to undergo toe amputation due to gangrene. On Friday December 11th, she was brought to Wenlock hospital by her son Subramanya. The hospital reportedly told them that there would be some expenses. Since the mother and son could not bear the costs, they were sent away, it is said.
It is said that, Sarojamma’s son Subramanya is a cook and the family is very poor.
Since the hospital allegedly refused to provide her the treatment, Sarojamma and Subramanya approached the Deputy Commissioner and explained about the matter to him in writing. In the letter, Subramanya stated that after examining his mother, the doctors at Wenlock advised her to undergo operation to amputate her toe and to get admitted in the hospital for a week and they also said that there would be some expenses. As the mother and son could not bear the expenses, they requested the DC to recommend them for free treatment. The DC later issued a letter directing the hospital to give free treatment to Sarojamma, it is learnt.
On Saturday morning, when Subramanya took his mother to the hospital again, the District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Rajeshwari, on the basis of DC’s letter, directed the duty doctor to admit Sarojamma and provide treatment.
Subramanya alleged that after the DMO gave directions and left, the doctor spoke rudely and reportedly refused to admit his mother, saying that even if the chief minister himself were to issue a letter, he would not admit Sarojamma. The doctor allegedly pushed Subramanya, assaulted him and threatened to file a case of obstruction of duty against him, it is said.
Later, Subramanya approached Tulunada Rakshana Vedike, who in turn contacted the police. The Vedike members along with police went to the hospital and after speaking to the DMO, the matter was finally settled. Later, Sarojamma was admitted to the hospital.
Speaking to the media, DMO Dr Rajeshwari Devi denied allegations made by Subramanya and said, Subramanya is not mentally sound. We did not demand any money. If some doctor has done so, let him and identify the doctor. Sarojamma was asked to go to the OT for surgery. But when the doctors went there, the mother and son were not around and had already gone out. The allegations made against the hospital are false. We have all the records”, she said.
