KURNOOL, AP — A tense standoff occurred at KIMS Hospital in Kurnool on Thursday following the death of A. Venkata Ramana Reddy, a 69-year-old resident of Uppalapadu village. The grieving family has alleged extreme medical negligence, leading to angry protests and a heavy police presence at the medical facility.
The Incident: A Sudden Turn of Events
A. Venkata Ramana Reddy was admitted to the hospital for a surgical procedure. According to his relatives, hospital staff initially declared the surgery a success. However, just minutes later, the patient was pronounced dead, sparking immediate suspicion among his family members.
- Absence of Senior Staff: The family alleged that the surgery was performed by junior doctors in the absence of a senior specialist, despite the critical nature of the case.
- Allegations of Deception: Relatives accused the hospital of misleading them by providing false hope while the patient was already in a lifeless state. They compared the hospital’s alleged conduct to scenes from the Telugu film Tagore, which depicts unethical medical practices for profit.
Escalate to Violence and Protest
The news of Reddy’s death triggered a large gathering of relatives at the hospital gates. The situation quickly turned volatile as protesters raised slogans against the management and demanded the immediate closure of the hospital.
- Demands for Accountability: The family insisted on the registration of criminal cases against the specific medical staff involved in the operation.
- Police Intervention: Local police rushed to the spot to maintain law and order. The protest was eventually called off after senior police officials assured the family that a formal case would be filed and a thorough investigation conducted into the hospital’s procedures.
Current Status
The hospital management has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the specific clinical cause of death. Meanwhile, the body of Venkata Ramana Reddy has been shifted for further formalities as the investigation into the alleged negligence continues.
