Lucknow | A 70-year-old man from Sarojini Nagar reportedly died after being denied urgent medical treatment at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, due to the unavailability of an oxygen-supported bed. The incident has sparked outrage, with the family accusing the hospital of gross negligence.
The elderly patient was initially taken to a private hospital on Thursday evening after he complained of severe breathing difficulties. Although doctors at the private facility provided temporary oxygen support, they referred him to KGMU for more advanced treatment as his condition worsened.
According to the patient’s son-in-law, the family rushed him to KGMU’s trauma centre, expecting immediate medical attention. However, they claimed they were left waiting for nearly four hours, during which the patient remained on a stretcher, gasping for breath. Despite repeated appeals to the hospital staff, no doctor reportedly attended to the patient, and oxygen support was not provided.
“The staff just kept saying no beds were available. No one even checked on him,” the son-in-law alleged. With no hope of receiving timely care, the family took the patient back to the private hospital, where he died shortly after being admitted.
The family blamed both the private hospital and KGMU for the patient’s death, alleging that their repeated requests for help were ignored while his condition rapidly deteriorated.
In response, KGMU officials denied any deliberate negligence. Dr. Sudhir Singh, spokesperson for the hospital, stated that the patient had been referred due to a lack of ventilator-equipped beds. “He was asked to wait, as no beds were available at the time,” Dr. Singh said, adding that the family left before alternative arrangements could be made.
The incident has reignited debate over the shortcomings in emergency healthcare infrastructure at government hospitals. The family is now demanding accountability and action against what they describe as “preventable negligence.”
