Family alleges emergency care was denied due to absence of doctors, while hospital says child was examined, treated, and the mother left before paediatric consultation
A one-year-old child died after allegedly being denied timely emergency treatment at a government hospital in Mussoorie on Monday, sparking serious allegations of delayed medical care and raising fresh concerns over emergency healthcare services in the hill town. However, hospital authorities have denied the allegations, claiming the child was examined by the doctor on emergency duty and provided initial treatment before the family left the hospital.
According to the child’s mother, Mamata, she reached the government hospital at around 5:00 AM with her critically ill son but found the emergency department door closed. She alleged that despite repeatedly knocking on the door and seeking immediate medical attention, she was informed that no doctor was available to attend to her child.
Mother Alleges Pleas for Immediate Treatment Were Ignored
Mamata claimed she repeatedly requested doctors to stabilise her son so that he could be safely shifted to a higher medical centre in Dehradun.
“I pleaded with the doctors to stabilise my child so I could take him to Dehradun, but they did not help,” she alleged.
Unable to receive the emergency care she expected, Mamata decided to take her son to Dehradun on her own. Tragically, the one-year-old child died on the way to the city.
Expressing her grief, she alleged that the government hospital had failed poor patients despite repeated assurances from authorities regarding improved healthcare services.
Former Municipal Chairman Questions Hospital Functioning
Following the incident, former Mussoorie Municipal Council Chairman Anuj Gupta criticised the functioning of the government hospital, alleging that despite substantial expenditure on upgrading the facility, it has effectively become a referral centre.
According to Gupta, instead of providing treatment to patients, the hospital frequently refers serious cases to Dehradun, forcing families to travel long distances during medical emergencies.
Hospital Denies Allegations, Cites CCTV Footage
Rejecting the allegations of negligence, the hospital’s Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) said CCTV footage showed that Mamata had consulted the doctor on emergency duty at 5:43 AM.
According to the CMS, the attending doctor examined the child, prescribed medicines, administered Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), and advised the mother to wait until 8:00 AM when the paediatrician would become available.
The hospital further stated that the child had already been undergoing treatment from a private doctor in Mussoorie for several days before arriving at the government facility. The prescription from the private practitioner was reviewed by the emergency doctor, who modified some medications and initiated treatment.
Hospital authorities alleged that the mother chose to leave the hospital before the scheduled paediatric consultation, after which the child was taken to Dehradun.
Investigation Likely Amid Conflicting Claims
The incident has triggered public concern over emergency healthcare delivery at government hospitals, with conflicting versions from the bereaved family and hospital authorities. While the family alleges denial of timely treatment led to the child’s death, the hospital maintains that emergency medical care was provided and that the family left before further evaluation by a paediatric specialist.
The matter is likely to draw closer scrutiny as questions continue to be raised over the availability of emergency medical services and referral practices at government healthcare facilities.
