A government hospital in Bihar’s Begusarai district has come under scrutiny after a viral video showed a road accident victim’s fractured leg being supported with pieces of a medicine carton. The incident at Manjhaul Sub-Divisional Hospital has triggered public criticism, while hospital authorities have defended the measure as a temporary splint used because conventional plaster facilities and an orthopaedic doctor were unavailable.
Accident Victim Brought to Manjhaul Hospital
The incident occurred after a motorcycle accident near Harsain Bridge on the evening of August 3. The injured man, a resident of Maheshwara village under Nawkothi police station, suffered a fracture in his leg and was brought to Manjhaul Sub-Divisional Hospital by local residents and relatives.
According to the family, hospital staff placed pieces of a medicine carton on both sides of the injured leg and secured them with bandages and rope. The patient was subsequently referred to Sadar Hospital, Begusarai.
A video showing the patient lying on a hospital bed with the carton strapped to his leg later went viral on social media, prompting criticism of emergency care arrangements at the facility.
Hospital Calls It Emergency Splinting
Hospital authorities defended the procedure, stating that the carton was used only as a temporary splint to immobilise the fractured limb and prevent further injury during transfer.
Manjhaul Hospital in-charge Dr Abhinav Priyadarshi said the material was used as an emergency measure. He explained that immobilising a broken bone is necessary to restrict movement and prevent additional internal injury.
The doctor said there was no orthopaedic doctor or dresser available at the time and that the hospital did not have plaster facilities. According to him, using available material to restrict movement and reduce pain while transferring the patient to a higher medical centre was consistent with emergency care practices.
Civil Surgeon Orders Inquiry
Begusarai Civil Surgeon Dr Ashok Kumar took note of the viral video and ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Dr Kumar said the matter would be investigated and that action would be taken if anyone was found guilty. He also acknowledged that improvised materials can be used as temporary splints during emergencies but said the specific circumstances at the hospital would be examined.
Inquiry to Examine Patient Care
The inquiry will determine whether hospital staff followed appropriate emergency procedures while treating and referring the accident victim.
Authorities will also examine whether there were any lapses in patient care and whether the absence of an orthopaedic doctor, dresser, and plaster facilities affected the treatment provided at the hospital.
Important Highlights
- A road accident victim with a fractured leg was treated with pieces of a medicine carton as a temporary splint at Manjhaul Sub-Divisional Hospital.
- The patient was injured in a motorcycle accident near Harsain Bridge on August 3 and was later referred to Sadar Hospital, Begusarai.
- Hospital authorities said the carton was used as an emergency splint because an orthopaedic doctor, dresser, and plaster facilities were unavailable.
- A video of the treatment went viral on social media, prompting criticism of emergency healthcare arrangements.
- Begusarai Civil Surgeon Dr Ashok Kumar has ordered an inquiry and said action will be taken if anyone is found guilty.
