11-year-old girl dies waiting in queue at Gurgaon hospital

Gurgaon/Ambala: A minor girl died allegedlywhile waiting along with her mother in a queue at civil hospital in Gurgaon, prompting Haryana government to relieve a doctor of his charge besides terminating the services of a staff member for negligence of duty.

The incident occurred on Monday when the 11-year-old girl, who was suffering from a kidney-related problem, reached the hospital in a critical condition with her mother. After spending about 45 minutes waiting to get a slip for admission, the girl allegedly fainted and passed away, Chief Medical Officer, Gurgaon Civil Hospital, Ramesh Dhankar said.

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, who returned on Wednesday after leading a state delegation to Rio Olympics, told reporters in Ambala that strict action would be taken if any official is found guilty.

Dhankar said Dr Umesh Mehta, who was posted at the Out Patients Department (OPD) where the incident occurred, has been relieved of his charge on grounds of negligence and has been issued a show cause cause notice.

A lady attendant, Anita, has also been terminated from service, he said.

Meanwhile, Dhankar said the girl's mother did not make any inquiry at the hospital and stood in queue for the slip for admission to the OPD instead of rushing her directly to the emergency ward.

He added that the Principal Medical Officer of the lone civil hospital in Gurgaon has been directed to increase the number of assistance counters at the hospital.