Patient dies at private hospital after ‘strong’ disinfectant used in hospital ward, family claims

The family of a 58-year-old patient in West Bengal’s Durgapur claimed that he died due to medical negligence following the use of a “strong” disinfectant inside his hospital ward on Sunday.

The deceased, Rajkumar Mandal, a resident of Durapur’s Benachity locality, had been admitted to the provate hospital and was reportedly discharged by doctors on July 23 but his family claimed that Mandal was not released because of health insurance related issues.

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However, the family members claimed that the hospital authorities informed them that Mandal’s condition deteriorated after a strong disinfectant was sprayed in his ward. He died on Sunday.

Following his death, family members and relatives staged a protest inside the hospital, accusing the authorities of negligence and demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.

“My father was forcibly kept in the hospital even after he was discharged. He died because of the hospital’s negligence. We want those responsible to be punished,” Mandal’s daughter, Kabita Chatterjee, alleged.

Hospital official Shilpa Swar denied any conclusion on the cause of death and said a post-mortem examination had been sought at a government hospital.

“We have requested a post-mortem examination to determine whether the disinfectant was actually responsible for the patient’s death,” Swar said.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the post-mortem report and the findings of the investigation.